Shillong: The Meghalaya government has barred the felicitation of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, ministers, and other state dignitaries at official government programs, directing departments to instead recognise members of the public in an effort to make such events more citizen-centric, officials said on Thursday. The directive was issued through a circular by the Personnel and Administrative Reforms (A) Department and came into effect immediately. According to the order, no felicitation ceremonies shall be organised for the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, ministers, or any other state dignitaries during programs hosted by the state government. The government has directed all administrative departments to strictly implement the new guidelines with immediate effect and ensure that future state-sponsored events adhere to the revised protocol. The revised protocol is also expected to streamline official events by limiting time spent on ceremonial proceedings and allowing greater focus on the programme's purpose and public participation.