The new uniform introduced for the parliament security staff was withdrawn on Wednesday, September 20, a day after they started wearing it, over complaints regarding the fabric and design of the new outfit. The new dress code was part of the historic shift to the new parliament building for the special session of the parliament.
The male employees at the Parliament House were to don cream-colored jackets adorned with pink lotus prints while their female counterparts received new sarees, replacing the old ones. The security statff's new uniform resembled army camouflage 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 According to the government’s latest order, only the new uniform of the security staff has been withdrawn, while other staffers will have to continue to don their respective new uniforms, Times of India reported.
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One common complaint cited by the staff was “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," a security wing staffer posted at the main gate of the old parliament building told The Hindu.
The decision of transitioning to the new uniforms was also criticised by opposition MPs. “Not just reducing the security personnel to showpieces to please the ruler, this government has also Rs 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).
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The allowance issue was also raised by the staff who are usually paid allowance ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000 per annum depending upon their grade and entitlement to buy the uniform. But the allowance was withheld this time as the uniform was given to them.
