The Central Pollution Control Board has directed all Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) and vehicle drivers to actually wear their uniform during office hours — a pointed reminder that comes after CPCB found most of its MTS and drivers weren't wearing uniform despite receiving the allowance for it. The Office Memorandum was issued on 10 August 2026, and it lays out exact dress specifications for both men and women employees.
Why This Order Was Issued
The OM states the underlying issue plainly: all MTS and vehicle drivers who receive the uniform allowance are required to wear uniform regularly during office hours. But CPCB observed that most MTS staff and drivers in the organisation weren't actually wearing office uniform during working hours, despite drawing the allowance meant to cover it.
This is essentially a compliance directive — you're being paid a uniform allowance specifically for this purpose, and the order exists because that purpose wasn't being met in practice.
Who This Applies To
The directive covers all MTS and Drivers working in the Head Office and Regional Directorate of CPCB. They're now directed to wear uniform regularly during office hours, not occasionally or on specific days.
The Exact Dress Code Specifications
CPCB laid out precise specifications for both categories of employees:
Women Employees:
- Light Blue Saree, or Light Blue Salwar Kurta and Dupatta
- Formal shoes
Men Employees:
- Grey Pant
- White Shirt
- Formal shoes
These are specific colours and garment types, not general guidelines — CPCB isn't leaving room for interpretation on what counts as "uniform" here.
Who's Responsible for Enforcing This
The OM places the enforcement responsibility squarely on management: all Division Heads and Regional Directors are directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions. This isn't left to individual employee discretion or informal reminders — it's a formal instruction to supervisory staff to actively monitor and enforce uniform compliance within their divisions and regional directorates.
Who Received This Order
The memo is addressed to all regular MTS/Drivers in CPCB, and copies were specifically marked to:
- All Divisional Heads, Head Office, Delhi
- All Regional Directors (RDs) in the Regional Directorate, CPCB
Both groups received the copy with a specific request to ensure compliance with these directions within their own Division or Regional Directorate — reinforcing that this isn't just a notice to staff, but an active instruction to managers to follow up.
What This Means for Affected Employees
- If you're an MTS or driver at CPCB receiving the uniform allowance, wearing the specified uniform during office hours is no longer optional or informal — it's now a directed compliance requirement
- Make sure your uniform matches the exact specifications listed — light blue saree or light blue salwar kurta with dupatta for women, grey pant and white shirt for men, with formal shoes in both cases
- Since Division Heads and Regional Directors have been specifically directed to ensure compliance, expect this to actually be checked and followed up on, rather than being a one-time reminder that fades
- If you're unclear on where to source uniform meeting these exact specifications, check with your administrative office, since the uniform allowance is meant to cover exactly this
The Practical Takeaway
This order is a good example of how a benefit tied to a specific purpose — in this case, a uniform allowance — comes with an expectation that it's actually used for that purpose. CPCB's language is direct: the allowance is being paid, but the uniform isn't being worn, and this OM closes that gap by making compliance an explicit, monitored requirement rather than an assumption.
For a broader look at the allowances Central Government and PSU-linked employees are entitled to, our Central Government allowances guide is a useful reference.
For more official circulars and workplace policy updates like this, follow our government news section.