Parliament Security Staff's New Uniform Withdrawn Following Complaints Over Fabric, Design
New Delhi: The new uniform introduced for the parliament security staff was withdrawn on Wednesday, September 20, just a day after the staff started wearing it. There have been several complaints from the security staff stating that they were sweating profusely due to the fabric used and the design of the new outfit.
The 500-odd parliament security staff turned up to work on Wednesday in their usual navy blue safari suits. Though no official reason was stated for withdrawing the uniform, The Hindu reported that many staffers have refused to wear the new outfit given its design and fabric out of which it is made.
As the parliament has been shifted to a new building, the government came up with new uniforms for the staff working there. While the security staff's uniform has been designed along the lines of army camouflage fatigues, those who work inside the House on legislative work have been assigned cream jackets, cream shirts, and khaki trousers with pink lotus printed on them. Chamber attendants, officers, security personnel, drivers, and marshals have been assigned new uniforms.
According to the government's latest order, only the new uniform of the security staff has been withdrawn, while other staffers will have to continue to don their respective new uniforms, Times of India reported.
The single most reason cited by the security staff for their unwillingness to don the new uniform is "the lack of breathability of the fabric".
"This is the same fabric that once upon a time, we used to stitch luggage or vehicle covers with. It is thick and heavy. In Delhi’s hot and humid climate, we end up profusely sweating and they are not fit for the long hours we have to stand under the sun. I wore it on Monday but I refuse to wear it now. I was asked to give a written explanation but since I am not alone in abandoning it, my seniors couldn’t press for it," a security wing staffer posted at the main gate of the old parliament building told The Hindu.
Unlike earlier, the government this time around gave stitched uniforms to staffers, which resulted in them getting uniforms which do not fit them. So far, each staffer received around Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000 a year as allowance year for uniforms depending upon their grade and entitlement. They purchased and got their own uniform stitched based on the sanctioned design. However, this time around, the amount which was to be credited to their accounts by April was withheld.
"We were told that instead of the allowance, we will be given new uniforms. The uniforms haven’t been stitched to our measurements. We have to wear the sizes that are available. Some of us got the uniform but didn’t get the boots," one of the officers said.
Others also objected to the design of the new outfit, stating that the new uniform does not go with the idea of parliament, for it looks like a combat outfit worn by armed forces. They said parliament security staff fall under the ambit of civilian staff, for their role is limited to facilitate MPs at the parliament.
One of the officials even said, "This uniform is what usually armed forces wear during combat. In fact, it eerily looks like the uniform worn by Pakistani Rangers."
Since the news of new uniforms for parliament staffers has been around, the opposition has launched criticism against the government. "Not just reducing the security personnel to showpieces to please the ruler, this government has also cut 25,000 from each of the 600 Parliament security staff for this uniform. Why should our security personnel suffer for the Rule’s fancy dress competition," wrote Manickam Tagore, Congress whip in Lok Sabha, on X (formerly Twitter).
This article went live on September twenty-first, two thousand twenty three, at thirty minutes past two in the afternoon.Not just reducing the security personnel to showpieces to please the Ruler, this Govt has also cut 25,000 from each of the 600 Parliament Security staff for this ‘uniform’.
Why should our security personnel suffer for the Ruler’s fancy dress competition ?#ParliamentBuilding pic.twitter.com/sc3MBPmzxg
— Manickam Tagore .B🇮🇳✋மாணிக்கம் தாகூர்.ப (@manickamtagore) September 19, 2023
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