Marshals tend to duties without caps in Rajya Sabha

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 21

The Rajya Sabha marshals on Thursday tended to their duties without donning the caps which were part of ensemble of their new military-like “dress code” in the backdrop of raised eyebrows, and wagging tongues among opposition MPs and ex-Army personnel.

The members in the House were apparently taken aback on seeing the marshals without the caps.

Some MPs from the Opposition benches were heard making mention about this to House Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu in a lighter vein when the House assembled for the Zero Hour.  

Voices were heard saying the new dress gave Army-like look.

“It is good,” said Congress member Madhusudan Mistry, drawing attention of Naidu.

Naidu responded saying: “As I have said, nothing reflects like Army,” and added that the review process is on.

Last Tuesday, Naidu had informed the House that in view of the suggestions and comments by politicians and “well-meaning” individuals he has asked for review of the dress code.

“I have decided to ask the Secretariat to revisit the same,” Naidu said, and added that the Rajya Sabha Secretariat had prescribed the new dress code.

Sources said the Secretariat officialdom feel a bit let down on the unexpected reservations in certain quarters on the dress code’s design.

There was a long-standing demand from the marshals, who are senior officers in hierarchy, for dress code which distinguishes them from the “Watch and Ward” staff in keeping with their official status.

The dress code in question was designed by the prestigious National Institute of Design — an autonomous body under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It is recognised by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under Ministry of Science and Technology.

Also, several Assemblies in the country have a matching dress code for the marshals.