Delhi officials must respond to MLA calls promptly

The Delhi government's General Administration Department (GAD) has issued a warning to senior bureaucrats about ignoring calls from legislators. They emphasized that failing to respond could lead to disciplinary action against the officials. This notice came after Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta raised concerns about government officials not responding to calls from Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The circular warned that ignoring these calls would harm officials' annual performance reviews. The directive, dated March 21, was sent to various senior officials. It emphasized the importance of engaging with MLAs and outlined mandatory protocols for their interaction. Non-compliance with these protocols could invite disciplinary measures, the circular stated. On the same day, Gupta had addressed the chief secretary, stating that the lack of response from officials was a serious issue. He urged the chief secretary to ensure bureaucrats follow the expected conduct while dealing with elected representatives. This situation has sparked political tension, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for double standards. AAP leaders noted that their ministers also faced similar problems with unresponsive officials in the past but were ignored by the BJP. According to the conduct rules established in 2020, officials must promptly respond to communications from MPs and MLAs. Any failure to comply could result in disciplinary action after an inquiry. A BJP MLA supported the need for officials to be responsive, highlighting that timely communication helps public representatives serve their constituents effectively.