Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 24: Karnataka chief secretary Dr Shalini Rajneesh has issued a strict directive to all government officials, instructing them to answer telephone calls from MLAs and MLCs without fail.

The circular, aimed at improving responsiveness to public grievances, also requires that officials return calls if they are busy with other duties.

According to a letter dated December 16, 2025 from the chairperson of the Karnataka Legislative Council, legislators frequently contact relevant officials to resolve issues raised by constituents. “It has come to my attention that some officials are not answering such calls, and in cases where they are engaged in urgent work, they are failing even to return calls as a courtesy,” the letter noted.

In response, the chief secretary’s circular directs that all officials must maintain the telephone numbers of MLAs, MLCs, and MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and answer calls from public representatives without delay. If officials are otherwise occupied, they are required to return the call promptly after completing their work and respond appropriately to the issues raised.

The directive also emphasises that senior officials, including additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and other secretaries, must ensure compliance and communicate the instructions to their departmental staff.

In the words of the circular, “Calls from public representatives should not be ignored; even if busy, officials must return calls and respond to issues promptly.”

This move is seen as an effort to strengthen accountability and ensure that citizen complaints reach the right channels swiftly, signalling the state government’s commitment to responsive governance.