To promote professionalism and fitness within the force, Assam Police personnel will undergo their yearly Body Mass Index-BMI test for the second consecutive year starting August 16, stated DGP Gyanendra Pratap Singh on Thursday. The initiative was first introduced last year with DGP Singh leading by example.
“One year since we announced the first of the annual BMI test for Assam Police personnel. Buoyed by encouraging first steps, it’s time to start preparing for the 2024 BMI test scheduled to start from August 16th, 2024,” Singh said in a post on X.
https://x.com/gpsinghips/status/1790920966929051796
In 2023, a total of 70,161 police personnel participated in the BMI test, out of which 1,748 failed due to BMI readings exceeding 30. Following the initial tests, 1,884 personnel underwent re-examinations to improve their fitness levels.
BMI, a measurement of weight relative to height, is an important indicator of physical health. According to the World Health Organisation-WHO, a BMI over 25 is considered overweight, while a BMI over 30 is classified as obese.
DGP Singh had previously stated that personnel who fail to meet the required BMI standards by the deadline may opt for voluntary retirement, except those with legitimate medical conditions such as thyroids.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has supported this initiative, advocating for the removal of “dead wood” from the police force. This includes habitual drinkers, severely obese personnel, and those facing corruption charges, with the goal of transforming the force into a more responsive and proactive entity.
