(The move is being dubbed as an attempt to revive the old tradition of cops sporting robust moustache)

MEERUT: What’s common among Chulbul Pandey, Singham and Simba? Apart from being no-nonsense cops, they all sported trademark moustaches. Now, in a bid to encourage policemen in UP to grow and ‘maintain’ moustache ‘which adds gravitas to their personality', the police department has floated a proposal to raise the ‘mooch allowance ’ given to PAC personnel. Sources claimed that a proposal has been sent to increase the monthly allowances for the upkeep of facial crops from Rs 50 to Rs 250. ADG, PAC, Binod Kumar Singh, who has sent the proposal, confirmed his recommendation about the hike, but was non-committal on the quantum.The move is being dubbed as an attempt to revive the old tradition of cops sporting robust moustache, especially the handlebar and the ones that twirled rakishly along the upper lip, that is supposed to add a dash of machismo to a policeman's personality."It's all about the morale of the policemen. If their morale is up, they will give you better performance and result. After taking over in PAC on January 11, I went to Prayagraj where I met a few middle-aged police personnel whose passion to sport such moustaches was amazing. I had earleir started the system of reward for moustaches when I was commanding 35th batallion of PAC in 2006-07. Now, I just wish to reinforce it with an increased amount after evaluating the inflation," Singh said."I have askled all unit commanders to take stock of their men and highlight the fact that the ones with moustaches will be rewarded. The idea has been accepted in principle but the financial modalities are yet to be finalized," he said.ADG zone Meerut Prashant Kumar, famous for his handlebar moustache, claims that growing moustache is one's personal choice, but it certainly creates a good impression in the mind of public. "If one carries himself smartly, it's an add on. Sporting moustache is a old traditional and it is a good move if it is being revived," he said.The tradition of mooch allowance in UP Police dates back to the British era. Nowadays, there is provision of Rs 50 per month in PAC for ‘moustache maintenance’. In case of district police, however, it depends on the SSP's discretion. Old-timers say that the allowance was regular till mid-80s. But after implementation of the new police uniform rules 1986, which has clear instructions about haircuts and the obligation of shaving every day, the era of 'clean-shaven cops' began. The rules had no guidelines on moustaches.