Not saffron, traffic cops to don blue trousers

LUCKNOW: Come December 1 and traffic policemen in the state will don a new look -- they will shed the traditional khakhi trouser for a dark blue one.

The decision of the state government to choose blue colour trousers for the cops has left political observers puzzled. After BJP formed the government in UP, from the CM’s chair to secretariat, buses, hoardings, pandals and booklets were all

Under the new order only khakhi terrycot pants introduced by the SP govt has been changed POLICE OFFICIAL

coated saffron.

DGP Sulkhan Singh on Thursday ordered the dress change for traffic police head constables and constables. The strength of traffic police head constables is 501 and constables 3056.

Singh said, “Traffic police personnel have to do duty in busy markets and crossings under all climatic conditions. A need was felt that they should don a uniform that gives them a different image among the public. The traffic cops will be paid Rs 2,250 yearly as dress allowance,” he said.

Blue is the colour of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) flag and symbol. When BSP captured power in 2007 it not only painted the city crossings, dividers and public transport buses with blue but also ordered that traffic police personnel wear blue trouser instead of white.

Then the opposition parties, including BJP, opposed the decision alleging that BSP wanted to politicize the police force. Interestingly, the dress code of the private police force raised by BSP -Bahujan Voluntary Force (BVF) -- is white shirt and blue trouser. The BVF personnel are deployed during rallies organized by BSP to control the mob and traffic near the ground.

In 2012 when Samajwadi Party formed the government it not only scrapped the projects and schemes launched by erstwhile BSP government but also decided to do away with blue dress of the traffic cops. They were told to don khakhi trousers.

Instead of navy blue trousers, blue belt, blue beret, white shirt, light blue jacket and black shoes introduced under BSP government, the SP government ordered that cops wear white shirt, khakhi terrycot pant, khakhi beret, brown leather belt, khakhi socks, khakhi jacket, white helmet and black shoe.

A police officer said, “Under the new order only, khakhi terrycot pants introduced by the SP government has been changed. The traffic cops will don white shirt, khakhi beret and khakhi jacket. The committee of senior police officers approved the new dress code.”

The BJP government in Assam had also replaced the white dress of the traffic police to blue.