Lucknow: Teachers of 158 government colleges and 331 government-aided colleges in Uttar Pradesh are no longer allowed to wear jeans and t-shirts.

"All the faculty members and other university officials are requested to come in on time in modest clothing and perform their duties with responsibility. Jeans and T-shirts are prohibited while on duty," according to March 30 circular issued by the directorate of higher education.

Signed by the joint director of higher education Urmila Singh, the circular says bio-metric systems will be installed in all government colleges to mark attendance and ensure timely and transparent working.

This comes along with a crackdown on smoking, and consumption of pan masala and gutkha in government offices, schools and colleges ordered by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The director of higher education RP Singh said, "The order emphasises on wearing modest clothes which means jeans and T-shirt are not allowed. The teachers are role models for students, if they are dressed decorously then students will follow the same pattern. This will inspire students to follow a modest way of dressing." Teachers can wear black or navy blue trouser and white or sky blue shirt to be role models to students, said Singh.

Shailesh Kumar Pandey, a teacher at Mewalal Ayodhya Prasad Inter College said, "This is a step in right direction — we whole-heartedly support it." He added, "Students have uniform, which removes all chances of disparity and discrimination. If teachers are also made to dress in a modest way, then the students will not judge them by their dressing."

Earlier, the district magistrate in UP "agreed" to follow a dress code. Since then, many district administrations have "banned casuals" at work.

Surendra Singh, district magistrate of Bareilly, who has banned government officials from wearing jeans and T-shirts said, "All the employees have been asked to come in formals and ensure speedy disposal of the work. Now attendance will be done using bio-metric systems to bring transparency. Several tehsil employees in Bareilly were found in violation of the new dress code and were asked to leave."