Shimla: Thirteen months after it switched over
to wearing blue uniform as part of an "image makeover"
initiative, the Himachal Pradesh Police board has unanimously
decided to revert back to traditional khaki.
"The decision to part ways with the blue attire and
revert back to the khaki uniform was taken in a State Police
Board meeting headed by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal," an
official said here on Saturday.
However, he did not give the reason as to why the
decision was taken.
Blue uniform for the 16,000-strong police was approved by
the state government in June 2008 and the project was
implemented on January 3, 2011.
The decision was implemented for all ranks except the IPS
officers. The efforts of the state government to convince the
Centre to permit blue dress for IPS officers was rejected in
March 2011.
The state government had to incur huge expenditure to
provide new uniform which comprised dark blue trouser, light
blue shirt, blue socks, cap or turban. Accessories such as
shoes and belts remained black.
However, a section of the state police was not pleased
with the state government move as they opined that khaki was
their "true" identity.
PTI
