Following the directive issued by Uttar Pradesh Assembly speaker and UP Legislative Council chairman, the state government has issued fresh directions to all the officials of police and civil administration for following the protocol for the elected representatives.

The protocol pertains to seating arrangements of MLAs, MLCs and MPs during official meetings, extending invitations and insertion of the names of the elected representatives in stone plaques and official advertisements.

The directions were issued by Chief Secretary DS Mishra on Wednesday as per the decisions taken in the meeting presided by the UP Assembly speaker on September 14 last year that was also attended by the UP Legislative Council chairman.

The meeting discussed various issues relating to protocol extended to the elected representatives by the administration during various meetings in districts and inauguration of development projects. 

The directions have been issued to all additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, secretaries, director general of police, and all divisional commissioners and district magistrates.

The directions say, “The elected representatives will be seated in the front row in the programme of the chief minister at the state capital and at district headquarters.”

The chief secretary said the elected representatives could be seated in the second and third row if a large number of representatives turn up in the programme.

He directed the officials to ensure that the elected representatives always sit in the front row and never be seated behind bureaucrats.

On the insertion of the names of MLAs, MLCs and MPs, the order says that the names of the elected representatives will be inserted in stone plaques only after obtaining their prior consent.

The chief secretary has directed the officials to ensure compliance with immediate effect.