Dress code doesn’t pass muster with court staffers in district courts of delhi

An attempt to give a makeover to court staff working at the district courts by providing them with uniforms for the first time has hit a wall as the employees have refused to wear it. The reason — the uniform is causing them allergies and rashes.

Besides ill fitting, the staff have complained about summer uniforms not being made of cotton and the colour of the shirt not being white.

Alleging that ‘‘sub-standard’’ cloth has been used, many have decided to surrender their uniforms.

‘‘Some of the staff have returned the uniforms to the administration along with complaint letters,’’ said the president of the court staff union.

The fitting problem has come up even after measurements for all employees were taken individually. All the five district courts have about 2,500 court staff. A committee was set up by the Delhi High Court last year to look into the possibility of having a uniform for them. The uniform comprises one pair of dark-gray pants and a light-gray shirt. For winter, a blazer has also been included.

While the plan was quickly executed in the HC, it took a while for it to come to the district courts. Unlike their HC counterparts, the district courts’ staff complain that they did not get what they were told.

‘‘The cloth is horrible and it does not absorb any sweat. It’s difficult to wear,’’ said a sessions court recordkeeper.

‘‘We were never involved in the implementation of uniforms. The committee must have given the tender to some local company, which has cheated us,’’ said a court union member on condition of anonymity.

So far, the court administration at Tis Hazari alone has received more than 50 written complaints. The court staff union is now planning to take up the matter with the judge who is incharge of the uniforms on Monday.
Source:- The Times of India 1 June 2009 P.5 Delhi
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