The government of Himachal Pradesh has issued new directives requiring its employees to adhere to a strict dress code and disciplined use of social media. This mandate was communicated through an official notice on March 16 by the Department of Personnel, emphasizing the need for compliance among all administrative secretaries, department heads, divisional and deputy commissioners, and officials of various boards and autonomous bodies.

Standards for Professional Attire

The recently established dress code stipulates that government employees must wear formal, clean, and modest clothing in subdued colors while attending office or court proceedings. Casual attire, including jeans and T-shirts, is expressly discouraged. Male employees are required to dress in shirts paired with trousers or collared shirts with pants, along with proper pairs of footwear.

On the other hand, female employees must don traditional outfits such as sarees, formal suits, salwar-kameez, churidars, or kurtas with dupattas, complemented by suitable footwear. The guidelines emphasize that the employees’ attire should reflect professionalism and dignity associated with public service.

Emphasis on Personal Grooming

In addition to the dress code, the directive underscores the importance of maintaining proper grooming and personal hygiene. The government noted that despite previous instructions issued in 2017, non-compliance has been observed among several employees, prompting the need for these updated guidelines.

Social Media Usage Guidelines

The government has reminded employees about the regulations outlined in the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, which require them to maintain integrity and impartiality in their professional conduct, both during and outside working hours. Employees are warned against making unauthorized comments regarding government policies and discouraged from disclosing official information on private social media accounts. The guidelines also prohibit the expression of political or religious opinions on public platforms, including social media channels, without prior authorization.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

The government’s order highlights that any public statement or opinion that could potentially criticize government policies or disrupt relations between government bodies could lead to disciplinary measures. Employees engaging in public discussions must explicitly indicate that their opinions are personal and do not represent the government’s viewpoints. Moreover, departments are tasked with ensuring strict adherence to these directives, with any violations facing serious repercussions based on the severity of the misconduct.

Implementation and Acknowledgment of Directives

The state government has urged that these new guidelines be widely disseminated among all relevant officials, ensuring that they acknowledge their understanding of the rules. Compliance with the stipulated dress code and social media guidelines is now seen as essential for the professionalism expected from government employees.

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