Assam cops given 6 months to get in shape or face axe

GUWAHATI: In compliance with chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s direction, Assam DGP GP Singh has given three months’ time (till August 15) to police personnel of all ranks, including IPS and APS officers to ensure that they are physically fit to serve in the police force and do not have obesity.
DGP Singh said all the police personnel will have to undergo body mass index (BMI) assessment from August 16 and those who will be found in the obese category (BMI 30+) will be given another three months’ time (till November end) to reduce their weight and make them physically fit for the service. Leading by example, he said he would be the first in the police force to undergo BMI assessment on August 16.
He added that those who will be found with obesity even after the second chance, except genuine medical grounds, will be offered VRS (voluntary retirement).
The initiative has been taken in order to remove deadwood from the police force, who are habitual drinkers, excessively obese and have corruption cases against them.
The DGP on May 8 said Assam Police were verifying a list of 680 police personnel of all ranks, who were identified as either habitual drinkers, excessive obese or have corruption cases against them. He had said the list was under consideration to ensure that the removal of deadwood does not go unjustified.
He also appealed to the officers to lead by example in terms of physical fitness required in the service. He also said all new recruits have been given orientation on the need of physical fitness.
On May 8, the State Level Police Recruitment Board (SLPRB) declared over 5,400 candidates selected for various posts in different government departments, which had given requisition to the board, including the police, against over 5,700 vacant posts.
After this new recruitment, Singh, who is the chairperson of the SLPRB, said there will still be around 5,000 vacancies in the police and all the other departments, which had given requisition to the board.