The Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has issued a directive to government officials to stand up in respect whenever a minister, MP or MLA visits their office, News 18 reported on Saturday. They also have to repeat the gesture while seeing off the elected representative, according to a letter sent to officials by Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar.

For some time, MLAs have been complaining about officials being discourteous when they visit their offices, according to The Tribune. The matter was even raised on the floor of the state legislature, the daily added, noting that recently state Cabinet Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar threatened to resign after the district magistrate of Ghazipur refused to entertain his complaint.

Kumar’s letter, the News 18 report said, suggested that disciplinary action would be taken against officers who do not abide by the protocol.

The chief secretary’s letter also states that bureaucrats cannot attend government-funded events as chief guests.