The West Bengal Police has relaxed uniform norms for its women personnel during their pregnancy and postpartum periods, allowing them to wear white or khaki salwar-kameez instead of the standard shirt and trousers. In a notification, the department said, “It has been observed that women police personnel face practical issues in wearing the conventional uniform during pregnancy or lactating phases. In many cases, women police personnel are willing to perform duty during these phases. It is imperative to have a relook at the uniform specifications for this period to facilitate an efficient performance of duty by women employees.” “Keeping in mind the fact that women personnel these days work throughout their pregnancy, the department deemed it necessary to make an adjustment in uniform norms,” a senior officer said. The notification states that women personnel can opt for the salwar-kameez from the 12th week of pregnancy and 12 months after delivery, subject to approval from their respective units. While some districts already had exemptions for pregnant and breastfeeding policewomen, central rules were also in place. Therefore, …