more-in In an attempt to put its house in order before pointing fingers at others, the Madras High Court has issued an official memorandum instructing all its officers and staff members to sport their identity cards during working hours since the court, on the judicial side, had issued an order on July 16, directing all government servants to do so. High Court Registrar (administration) V. Devanathan had issued the memorandum directing all staff members and officers up to the cadre of Joint Registrar to sport their photo identity cards. Though the instruction applies only till the cadre of Joint Registrar, all the Registrars of the High Court had also begun to sport their identity cards on their coats. The memorandum pointed out that last month, the first Division Bench of the High Court comprising its then Chief Justice Indira Banerjee (now a Supreme Court judge) and Justice P.T. Asha had taken up a suo motu public interest litigation petition on the issue on the basis of a letter written by one M. Vallinarayanan, a resident of Erode district. In the letter, the author had sought implementation of a 1986 Government Order which required government servants to sport their name badges during working hours. Despite the existence of such a condition, a majority of government employees were found violating the norm, he alleged and urged the court to interfere on the issue. Govt. files affidavit After the court called for details from the government, an affidavit was filed by S. Manohari, Joint Secretary, Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department, stating that necessary directions had been issued to all officers and employees of the State government as well as public sector undertakings and local bodies to sport their identity cards on duty. After recording the submissions, the first Division Bench directed the official to make sure that photo identity cards were issued to all government and local body employees within 60 days. The Bench also ordered that the rule regarding display of identity cards should be enforced strictly and action should be taken against those flouting the rule.

Stay updated with all the Chennai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.