Honourific use for constitutional functionaries is limited to sovereign offices, not civil servants or administrative posts.
Honorific "Hon'ble" is reserved for constitutional functionaries who exercise sovereign functions of the State and is not available to civil servants merely because they hold high office. The distinction turns on whether the office is created by or derives authority from the Constitution and whether the office-holder performs sovereign functions through the legislative, executive, or judicial organs of the State. Ministers, Judges, Speakers, Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislative Assemblies, and similarly placed constitutional authorities are treated as entitled to the prescribed form of address. (AI Summary)
Honorific "Hon'ble" is reserved for constitutional functionaries who exercise sovereign functions of the State and is not available to civil servants merely because they hold high office. The distinction turns on whether the office is created by or derives authority from the Constitution and whether the office-holder performs sovereign functions through the legislative, executive, or judicial organs of the State. Ministers, Judges, Speakers, Members of Parliament, Members of State Legislative Assemblies, and similarly placed constitutional authorities are treated as entitled to the prescribed form of address. (AI Summary)
TaxTMI 