Srinagar Oct 16: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all officers and officials to maintain professional decorum, courtesy and mutual respect in official interactions, cautioning against the use of derogatory, threatening or inappropriate language.
The directions have been issued through Circular No. 24-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated October 16, by the General Administration Department (GAD).
Invoking Rule 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971, along with other service-specific provisions, the government said all employees are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, devotion to duty, discipline and conduct befitting public servants.
The circular states that professionalism, courtesy and mutual respect must be maintained while interacting with senior officers, colleagues, subordinate staff and members of the public.
“Official interactions are conducted with due courtesy, restraint, dignity and mutual respect,” the circular states, directing employees at all levels to adhere to these standards.
The instructions apply equally to interactions between superior officers and their subordinates, officials of different ranks, and subordinate employees and their seniors.
The government has emphasised that seniority and supervisory authority must be exercised responsibly and fairly, while all employees must respect lawful directions, established procedures and the responsibilities attached to their offices.
It has specifically directed officials to avoid derogatory, threatening or otherwise inappropriate language, as well as any conduct inconsistent with the dignity of public office.
All Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Heads of Departments and Managing Directors have been directed to bring the instructions to the notice of employees under their administrative control and ensure strict compliance at all levels.
The circular comes amid widespread outcry over the alleged verbal harassment of a female JKAS officer, Beenish Wani, by senior IAS officer Kumar Rajeev Ranjan during an official meeting.
The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an inquiry into the incident, while the National Commission for Women has also taken suo motu cognisance of the matter.
