Patna: The Bihar government has issued fresh directions to officials on maintaining protocol, courtesy and proper communication with elected representatives, including Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
The General Administration Department has directed all Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, heads of departments, the Director General of Police, divisional commissioners and district magistrates to ensure strict compliance with the instructions.
The government has emphasised that elected representatives are an important link between the public and the administration. Officials have therefore been instructed to follow appropriate protocol and courtesy while handling their phone calls, correspondence and meetings.
Directions issued after Assembly Speaker’s meeting
According to the General Administration Department’s letter, a meeting of senior officials was held on July 17, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker.
The meeting discussed the need for effective compliance with the expected protocol and courtesy towards members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Following the meeting, the government issued directions to all concerned officials to ensure strict implementation.
Officials asked to respond promptly to calls from MLAs
The government has instructed officials to respond to phone calls from members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly as soon as possible.
If an official is unable to answer a call due to unavoidable circumstances, the official has been directed to call the concerned MLA or elected representative back later and establish the necessary communication.
The instruction effectively makes it clear that calls from elected representatives should not be ignored.
Receipt of letters from elected representatives must be acknowledged
The government has also issued directions regarding correspondence received from MLAs and other elected representatives.
Officials have been asked to provide an immediate acknowledgement of receipt of letters sent by elected representatives.
They must also provide information within the prescribed time regarding the action taken on the issue raised in the letter or the current status of the matter.
This means that correspondence from an elected representative should not simply remain pending in an office without follow-up or communication on its status.
Protocol and courtesy required during meetings
The government has directed officials to maintain the required protocol, courtesy and respectful conduct when an elected representative visits their office for a meeting.
Officials have been asked to ensure that the position and dignity of MPs and MLAs are respected during such interactions and that the prescribed protocol is followed.
Similar instructions issued in the past
The General Administration Department noted that similar directions have been issued by the government from time to time.
The latest letter refers to instructions issued in 2012, 2017, 2018 and 2021, among other years. The Parliamentary Affairs Department had also issued directions on the subject in February 2021.
The latest order reiterates these provisions and calls for their effective implementation by officials and employees.
Directions to apply to subordinate offices too
The instructions are not limited to senior-level officers.
The government has directed senior officials to ensure that officers and employees working in their subordinate offices are also made aware of the guidelines and that compliance is strictly enforced.
This means government offices functioning under departments and district administrations will also be required to follow the prescribed protocol while dealing with phone calls, correspondence and meetings involving MPs and MLAs.
The latest directions underline the Bihar government’s emphasis on maintaining formal communication and institutional protocol between the administration and elected representatives.
