Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: A day after assembly speaker Vijender Gupta flagged that a section of officials were not responding to communications from MLAs, Delhi govt on Friday directed all officials to promptly respond to communications from MPs and MLAs, warning them of disciplinary action if they fail to do so.
Gupta, in a letter to chief secretary Dharmendra on Thursday, said he was informed that some officials did not even acknowledge communications from MLAs.
“The matter has been viewed seriously by the chief secretary,” said a circular issued by the general administration department (GAD). Delhi Govt has issued comprehensive instructions with regard to engagement and protocols to be observed while dealing with MLAs and MPs, it said. The instructions need to be strictly adhered to in letter and spirit, said the circular issued by additional chief secretary (GAD) Navin Kumar Choudhary.
“There should be no occasion that MLAs or members of Parliament are constrained to make such complaints. Non-compliance with these instructions will invite commensurate disciplinary action and will be an important input in the evaluation of the official concerned,” it said. The circular also shared a standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding official dealings of administration and MPs and MLAs, prepared by GAD in 2020.
It laid down that communications received from an MP or MLA need to be promptly attended to. A communication addressed to a minister or secretary should be replied to by themselves as far as possible. “Where it is not practicable for the minister to reply, a reply should normally be issued under the signature of an officer of the rank of the govt,” it reads.
It said each of these communications should be acknowledged within 15 days, followed by a reply within the next 15 days. “Each communication received from an MP, MLA, a recognised association, or a public body will be acknowledged within 15 days, followed by a reply within the next 15 days of the acknowledgement sent,” it said. The information sought by an MP or MLA should be supplied unless it can’t be shared, the SOP stated.
“Where a delay is anticipated in sending a final reply, or where the information has to be obtained from another ministry or another office, an interim reply may be sent within a month (from the date of receipt of the communication), indicating the possible date by which a final reply can be given,” it read. “Every member of the service shall, in the discharge of his duties, act in a courteous manner and shall not adopt dilatory tactics in his dealings with the public or otherwise,” it said.
The SOP also states that govt servants should show courtesy and consideration to the members of Parliament and state legislatures. “While the govt servants should consider carefully or listen patiently to what the members of Parliament and state legislatures may have to say, a govt servant should always act according to his own best judgment and as per the rules,” it reads.
Mayank Rawat
