Tripura govt memorandum on avoiding jeans, cargos triggers criticism
A Tripura state government memorandum advising bureaucrats to avoid casual attires such as denim wears while being on official duty triggered criticism from the opposition parties in the state, who termed it as "feudal". The memorandum issued by Principal Secretary for Revenue, Education and Information and Cultural Affairs, Sushil Kumar, advised officials to give due regard to dress code in state-level official meetings.
Here is what the memorandum said
"District Magistrates, ADMs being the district head need to ensure that in/at the state level official meeting(s) which are chaired by the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Dy. CM, Ministers, Chief Secretary etc. or other high-level official meetings due regards needs to be given to the dress code," the memorandum said. It also said, "Certain casual attires like jeans and cargo pants should be avoided."
Memorandum also pointed out officials reading messages during meetings
In the memorandum, Kumar said, he has three decades of experience in the Government of India service, and he was yet to see an officer from the IAS or central services come to the office wearing casual attires like denims. The memorandum also out that a few officials read and send messages on their mobile phones during meetings, which is a mark of disrespect.
Kumar asks DMs to ensure officers adhere to dress code
Referring to former Tripura CM Manik Sarkar's advice to officers to keep hands off their pockets, Kumar reiterated the issue and advised the DMs to ensure that officers maintain decorum and adhere to the proper code of conduct while attending official functions or meetings. Citing an example, Kumar said a Madhya Pradesh official had received the Chief Minister wearing goggles, and he was later chastised.
This is most condemnable: CPI(M) spokesperson
"How can they give orders on what to wear and what to avoid in the name of dress codes? This is most condemnable. Ours is a democratic country. This type of memorandum reminds us (of) the colonial rule only," CPI(M) spokesperson Goutam Das said.
