Despite CS communique, ‘Babus’ repeatedly breach protocol

Lucknow: Babus will be babus. A section of them has repeatedly refused to mend their ways despite being chastised by the Supreme Court and Yogi Government from time to time.

Or what else would explain the reason behind this latest missive to the state’s bureaucracy to fall in line from none other than their top boss once again. The letter from Chief Secretary DS Mishra, the third such communication on the subject, has again spelt out the protocol and behaviour the civil servants are expected to show to public representatives.

From standing up to welcome the Members of Parliament (MPs) and Member of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) to receiving all phone calls of public representatives or call them back, if unavailable or in a meeting, the letter lists out dos and don’ts which most of these civil servants must have learnt as part of their training.

Several ruling party legislators have already in the past lamented how officers do not listen or pick up their calls. Hence, the reminder from the CS.

“It has come to notice that the orders about parliamentary courtesies are not being strictly followed by the officers despite clear directives,” said Chief Secretary, DS Mishra in his order.

Also during public functions, the MPs have to be compulsorily invited and comfortably seated as per the protocol.

If the constituency of an MP falls in two districts, the bureaucrats of both districts must send invitations for important events well in advance, states the communique.