Thiruvananthapuram: MLAs and MPs need not be present at the airports to welcome the President on his visit. The Rashtrapathi Bhavan has released a list of those who are eligible to be present for welcoming and seeing off the President.
Earlier, the respective MLA and MP from the region had permission to go to the airport tarmac and welcome the President.
The new arrangement will be implemented from January. The President’s Deputy Military Secretary instructed the state Chief Secretaries regarding the same. MLAs and MPs are usually placed next to the Mayor, as per protocol.
The protocol used to provide a lot of importance to MLAs and MPs in all programs attended by the Prime Minister and the President. Changes have been brought to the ‘Blue Book’ that dictates the protocol to VIPs but the reason for bringing the change was not mentioned.
New List
Governor
Chief Minister/ Minister in Waiting
Central Ministers and State Ministers
Mayor
Chief Secretary
Governor’s advisor (if region is under President’s rule)
Protocol department Head
Senior Officer of Military Department
( If it is the President’s first visit, senior officers from the 3 services of the Indian Army)
