Overview

• The July 11 circular mandates that all departments obtain chief secretary concurrence and provide at least 48 hours’ advance notice for meetings with district magistrates, with virtual attendance advised where feasible.
• Officials say the measure aims to end frequent, unscheduled summons that disrupt magistrates’ core administrative, judicial and field responsibilities.
• Drafted by Neeraj Semwal and approved by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the directive builds on recent reforms targeting bureaucratic accountability and operational efficiency.
• AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the order’s phrasing around “even MLAs” as disrespectful and argued it signals a breakdown in internal coordination.
• Departments are implementing the protocol as debates intensify over the balance between bureaucratic oversight and the authority of elected officials.