Patna: The Bihar government has issued fresh directions to bureaucrats regarding communication and coordination with elected representatives, including MPs, MLAs and MLCs. Officials have been instructed to promptly respond to calls from public representatives and take appropriate action on issues raised by them.
The directive comes amid repeated complaints from legislators that government officials often fail to respond to their calls or do not act on matters concerning their constituencies.
Officials Must Return Missed Calls
Under the new instructions issued by the General Administration Department, officials have been asked to attend calls from MPs, MLAs and MLCs promptly.
If an official is unable to answer a call, they have been directed to return it at the earliest possible opportunity. The government has emphasized that communication from elected representatives should not be ignored, particularly when it concerns matters of public interest.
Action Required on Public-Interest Issues
The government has also stressed that calls and messages from elected representatives often relate to issues affecting residents of their constituencies.
Officials have therefore been instructed to examine legitimate matters raised by MPs, MLAs and MLCs and take necessary action according to established procedures. They have also been asked to keep the concerned representative informed about developments on such matters.
Focus on Better Coordination
The directive places emphasis on maintaining proper protocol and respectful coordination between the bureaucracy and elected representatives.
The government expects officials to strengthen communication with public representatives so that issues raised on behalf of citizens can be addressed more efficiently.
Why Did the Government Issue the Directive?
Complaints regarding the alleged non-responsiveness of officials have been raised by legislators from both the ruling side and the Opposition.
The issue has reportedly also been raised in the Bihar Assembly, with representatives expressing dissatisfaction over delays in communication and action by officials.
Against this backdrop, the government has taken a stricter approach and sought to reinforce existing protocol guidelines.
Directive Aims to Improve Bureaucratic Accountability
Political analyst Dr Sanjay Kumar said the decision could help improve coordination between public representatives and the administration.
“Better coordination between the bureaucracy and public representatives will prove instrumental in accelerating Bihar’s development,” he said, while stressing that both sides should communicate effectively on issues of public interest.
The latest directive is expected to put greater emphasis on responsiveness and accountability among government officials while strengthening coordination between Bihar’s administrative machinery and elected representatives.
