After HC Wrath, HP Chief Secy Asks All Govt Employees To Dress Sober, Exude Professionalism [Read Notice]

Having earned High Court’s disapproval over the informal attire of government officials and litigants appearing in court, the Chief secretary of Himachal Pradesh has issued an advisory directing all government servants to dress formally while attending courts specifically and office, in general, so as to reflect a sense of professionalism.

“I am directed to say that Hon'ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh, while expressing its displeasure over the attire of a female funior Engineer who appeared before the Hon'ble Court in a case wearing multi-coloured check shirt and jeans, has directed to issue necessary instructions to all the concerned to follow a dress code while attending court or office.

“It is accordingly advised that while attending Hon'ble Courts specifically and office in general, all Government servant should be attired in appropriate, formal, clean, modest and decent cloths in sober colours, which should not look gaudy. Casual and party attire should be strictly avoided during appearance in Court and while attending office,” said the advisory.

“The mannerism, conduct and dress of a Government servant should reflect a sense of decorum, decency, professionalism and seriousness of purpose at the work place as well as during appearance in Hon'ble Courts,” it said while directing the heads of all departments to bring it to the notice of one and all to be followed in letter and spirit.

Any deviation would invite strict action, it warned.

It is to be noted that a Division Bench of Himachal Pradesh High Court had on July 17 taken strict view of a lady junior engineer appearing before it in shirt and jeans. What was more appalling for the bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Ajay Mohan Goel was her admission that she discharges her official duties dressed likewise.

The bench had then said, “It is high time that we reiterate that litigants appearing before this court, more particularly government officers and officials should be dressed, if not formally, then atleast appropriately or else they may start dressing more indiscreetly”.

Read the Notice Here