NEW DELHI: Unhappy over lower-rank staff in the administration wearing the trendy and shabby clothes, Delhi government’s General Administration Department has issued a circular directing all Grade IV staffers to report to office in their designated uniforms. But this is not likely to happen soon because red tape ensures that winter uniforms will be ready only in summer.
Reacting to the government’s circular, the Grade IV employees stated that they don’t get uniforms on time from the government. This year, they complained to have not got their winter uniform yet and that they will arrive in another six months. “What we can do? The government does not give uniforms in time. Forget about winter uniforms, we wait for almost a year or two to get a pair of shoes or slippers,” said a peon working at Delhi Secretariat.
The General Administration Department issued a circular after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal noticed that lower-rank staff were not following rules. The circular stated: “All employees who are issued uniforms should be informed that failure to attend office in proper and clean uniforms is a breach of discipline for which strict disciplinary action will be taken against them... The employees are expected to keep their uniforms clean, tidy and no mending allowance or any other financial compensation will be paid for this purpose.” The circular also instructed all divisional heads “to ensure that all the Grade IV employees come in uniform”.
More than 35,000 class IV employees work in the Delhi administration. Half are contractual employees. The standard uniforms for all employees comprise a coat or shirt, trousers, a cap and a pair of shoes or chappals.
The government provides summer uniforms every year and winter uniforms once in two years.