UP govt clears ₹29.47 cr police gear procurement ahead of 2027 polls

Of the total amount, ₹12 crore has been allocated for 30,000 PVC shields, ₹7.80 crore for 30,000 helmets, ₹7.42 crore for 1,500 ballistic shields, ₹1.50 crore for 30,000 PVC lathis and ₹75 lakh for 1,500 loud hailers.

The Uttar Pradesh government has sanctioned ₹29.47 crore to procure protective and crowd-control equipment for the state police, including 30,000 helmets, 30,000 PVC shields, 30,000 PVC lathis and 1,500 ballistic shields, ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, a senior home department official said on Saturday.

30,000 helmets, PVC shields and lathis each; 1,500 ballistic shields and loud hailers to strengthen force’s law-and-order preparedness (File photo)

The sanction, issued on Tuesday based on a proposal from the Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters, comes as political rallies, demonstrations and public mobilisation are expected to increase before the polls.

Although the government order does not specifically describe the procurement as election-related, officials justified the expenditure as necessary to strengthen the state’s law-and-order machinery and maintain public order.

Of the total amount, ₹12 crore has been allocated for 30,000 PVC shields, ₹7.80 crore for 30,000 helmets, ₹7.42 crore for 1,500 ballistic shields, ₹1.50 crore for 30,000 PVC lathis and ₹75 lakh for 1,500 loud hailers.

The equipment will be used during crowd-control duties, protests, clashes and other law-and-order deployments. Ballistic shields will provide protection to personnel during operations involving potential firearm threats, while loud hailers will help police issue instructions to large gatherings.

The sanction comes as Uttar Pradesh heads towards the 2027 Assembly elections, with political rallies, roadshows, demonstrations and public meetings expected to increase in the coming months. Police will also be required to secure political leaders, polling stations and election material, ensure the movement of polling personnel and maintain law and order. However, the government order does not link the procurement directly to election duties.

The UP Police headquarters and its logistics wing have been directed to carry out the procurement according to the UP Procurement Manual, applicable financial rules and existing government orders. The procurement must remain within the sanctioned amount, with no deviation from the approved proposal.