Legislative Assembly Speaker’s Directive: IAS, IPS and Other Government Officers Ordered to Uphold MLA Protocol in Official Meetings

Lucknow: In an important move aimed at reinforcing the dignity of elected representatives, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana has issued a major directive to all district officials, police commissioners, and commissioners of police. This directive addresses the grievances of MLAs who reported that they were not being accorded the respect they deserve in official meetings, particularly by government officers.

The directive, which has been circulated across the state, outlines that all MLAs must be treated with the same respect as high-ranking officials during meetings. The order specifically mentions that MLAs should be seated on dignified chairs, just like senior officers, and not be made to sit on regular chairs, which has been the practice in several instances.

The speaker emphasized the importance of maintaining the dignity of MLAs, stating that if officials are seated in cushioned chairs with towels, similar arrangements should be made for the MLAs as well. The order goes on to instruct that if officials sit on sofas during meetings, the MLAs should also be seated on sofas.

This decision comes after months of discussions in the Assembly, where several MLAs complained about being treated unfairly in comparison to government officials during district and state-level meetings. Many MLAs felt that they were being sidelined, and that their protocol was not being maintained.

Following these complaints, the Parliamentary Affairs Department issued a letter, signed by Principal Secretary JP Singh, instructing all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, district magistrates, and police commissioners to implement these new seating protocols immediately. The letter also refers to an earlier meeting held under the chairmanship of the Speaker, where the issue was first raised and discussed in detail.

According to the new directives, officials must now ensure that the seating arrangements for MLAs during government meetings are in line with their protocol, as stipulated in the Subsidiary Rules of Procedure issued by the state government. The directive further states that this order applies to all meetings where MLAs or MPs are invited as participants, and it is essential to make the seating arrangements respectful and befitting their positions.

The move is seen as a step to enhance the respect and standing of elected representatives and ensure that their status is on par with senior officials in official gatherings across Uttar Pradesh.

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