New Delhi: The trade and taxes department has issued a circular directing all officers and employees to maintain proper attire, office decorum and discipline while on duty.The circular, issued by the special commissioner, underlines the importance of professional conduct in ensuring an efficient, dignified and citizen-friendly work environment. It states that all officials must wear decent, sober and appropriate clothing that reflects the dignity of public service. Casual or inappropriate attire, which is inconsistent with the decorum expected at govt offices, has been specifically discouraged.The department has also instructed employees to maintain professional behaviour while interacting with colleagues, visitors and common people. Another directive requires officials to work only from their designated workstations. Unauthorised occupation of another employee’s chair or desk has been prohibited unless specifically permitted for official reasons. The circular stresses the need for maintaining cleanliness, orderliness and a conducive working atmosphere.The heads of branches and ward in-charges have been made responsible for ensuring compliance with the instructions by all personnel under their supervision. Any violation of these guidelines may attract action, it adds.Officials said the measures were intended to strengthen workplace discipline, improve the public image of govt offices and maintain the standards of professionalism expected from public servants.Chief minister Rekha Gupta recently conducted a surprise inspection of the department office at ITO and expressed displeasure over the absence of officers during office hours, officials said. She had inquired from the staff present about their reporting time and sought a detailed report on the department’s attendance records, they added.Gupta also reviewed the office infrastructure and questioned officials about repairs and maintenance work. She flagged a narrow and poorly maintained exit in the office building and asked officials how they would handle an emergency such as a fire. Later, CM ordered the transfer of 162 officials in the department, including three assistant commissioners.
