A month after being admonished after one of its officers was found in ‘improper dress’ during State High Court’s proceedings, the government on Monday ordered for a dress code to be followed by all its employees while appearing before any court of law.
Taking the opportunity, the government has also directed its officials to adhere to dress code while attending offices.
“Strictly avoid casual or party attire,” an official circular issued this evening said.
It may be mentioned here that on August 6, a High Court Judge had found an Officer of the State Government present in person not in proper dress, which prompted him to pass a directive in this regard.
“The Chief Secretary of the State of Jammu and Kashmir is expected to register the concern of the Court as regards the casual approach adopted by the officers who, as and when required, are asked to appear before any Court of Law. In this regard, the Chief Secretary shall issue necessary instructions to all the officers of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to be in proper dress as and when they have to appear in any of the Courts in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In case, as on date, the State Government has not notified any proper dress code in respect of its officers while they are in office or have to appear before a Court of law, the Law Secretary of the State shall do the needful, in this behalf, within a period of one week …” the order passed in the case titled Mohammad Abass Parray Vs State of J&K in SWP No. 28212017 had read.
It was in the light of this directive that government today issued the aforementioned circular.
“It is impressed upon all the government officials to be attired in proper formal dress while appearing before any court of law.
They are to be attired in proper formal dress while attending offices in the State of Jammu and Kashmir also,” it said, warning them to strictly avoid casual or party attire.
“The instructions are brought to the notice of all the concerned for strict compliance. Any deviation will not be acceptable and the erring official will be strictly dealt with under law,” it said.
