Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 20: The Karnataka government has warned state government employees that disciplinary action will be initiated if they report to offices without wearing appropriate and decent attire. In this regard, the state government has issued an official circular.

The Department of Personnel Administration and Reforms (DPAR) has communicated the directive to heads of various departments, deputy commissioners, the chief minister’s office, additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, secretaries, chief executive officers of zilla panchayats and others, listing the dos and don’ts to be followed by employees.

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According to the circular, the move comes in the wake of complaints received by DPAR from members of the public and certain organisations stating that some government employees are dressing indecently in offices. Although employees have been advised earlier to wear appropriate attire, many have failed to follow the instructions, which has now been taken seriously, the circular said.

Unlike corporate offices, there is no prescribed dress code for government employees. However, some young employees are reportedly dressing as if they are going to college, which is unacceptable. Officials pointed out that employees have been coming to offices wearing ripped jeans, sleeveless outfits and very tight clothes, which is not appropriate for a government workplace.

Karnataka State Government Employees Association president C S Shadakshari welcomed the move, stating that an individual’s attire should not cause embarrassment to others and that decorum must be maintained in government offices.

The circular also refers to the introduction of the movement register and cash declaration register by the government. Government employees have been instructed to make entries in these ledgers while entering and exiting offices. However, it has been observed that many are not complying with this rule.

The movement register is intended to track how long employees remain in the office and how they perform their duties. Employees are required to be present in the office by 10.10 am and remain at their seats until the end of working hours. If they leave on official duty, the same must be recorded in the register.

In the cash declaration register, employees are required to declare the amount of cash carried in their purse or pocket before entering the office and again while exiting, the circular stated.