Jeans ban order withdrawn after opposition from staff

Jeans ban order withdrawn after opposition from staff

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mysuru:08.11.2021

The Mysuru deputy director of pre-university education (DDPU) issued a circular asking teaching and non-teaching PU employees to not wear jeans and T-shirts while on duty, and withdrew it within hours on Saturday following backlash from the staff.

DK Srinivasa Murthy had directed PU principals in the district to implement the order and submit an action taken report by November 10. The circular said the deputy commissioner will make a surprise visit to colleges in the coming days. According to Murthy’s circular, the instruction applies to government, aided, private PU colleges and DDPU office staff. It stated that the DC has orally instructed him to restrict staff members from wearing jeans and T-shirts and the DC will visit colleges to check the same.

The district administration said the DC didn’t issue directions. “I came to know about it only after the DDPU issued and withdrew the circular,” DC Bagadi Gautham told TOI. Murthy was not available for comments.

“Within minutes after the circular was issued, teachers and non-teaching members opposed it. Last week, a DDPU employee visited the district administration office without buttoning up his shirt. This upset the officials. They asked the DDPU to ensure discipline among his staff. This may have led to the controversial order," said a PU college lecturer.

“There is no clarity why the DDPU issued the circular. The district administration has slammed him for involving the DC’s office in the controversy,” the lecturer said.