Amidst a debate between individual liberty and the basic etiquettes to be followed at the official places, the Tamil Nadu government seems to have favoured the latter as it has issued a diktat advising employees in the Secretariat to avoid casual attire while on duty, reports ANI.
According to the reports, the State government made an amendment to the ‘Secretariat Office Manual’ notifying employees on May 28 to avoid casual attire. The new order advises the government employees to wear “Neat, clean, formal attire that is appropriate to the workplace setting so as to maintain the decorum of the office while on duty.
“While in duty, saree/salwar kameez/Chudidaar with dupatta for females staff and shirts with formal pants/Veshti (Dhoti) reflecting Tamil culture or any Indian traditional dress, for male staff”, stated the order issued by the Chief Secretary.
The order has also put forth certain diktats for the government officials who attend courts. The order says that officials appearing before a court or tribunal or any other judicial body, should wear a full-sleeved short buttoned-up coat and trousers and if he prefers, an open coat. A female officer should wear a sari or salwar kameez or Chudidhar with a dupatta of a sober colour, it added.
“He should invariably put on a tie and the dress should be sober and subdued in colour and design.”
The Tamil Nadu government has amended an earlier order of the Secretariat Office Manual which read, “Government servants are not bound by any restrictions in the matter of dress and are at perfect liberty to wear, while on duty, whatever dress they like, provided it is in conformity with the ideas of decency current in society.”
