While the temperature hovers close to 43°C in Gujarat, inspectors have been asked to remove the air conditioners at 627 police stations across the state, reported The Times of India. An order by the Gujarat Director General of Police PP Pandey (pictured above) said police inspectors and sub-inspectors were not entitled to the “luxury” and all air conditioners should be removed with immediate effect.

The notification, dated March 27, said ACs not only add to the electricity bill, but also compel officers to ignore outdoor duties. “Due to AC, many police station in-charges avoid going out on patrolling in non-air conditioned vehicles,” the notification stated. The notification said many police stations had installed ACs that were either donated or acquired unofficially.

Police stations have also been directed to submit a report within 10 days mentioning the date of installation of the AC, details of who got it installed and the date of removal. After the air conditioners are removed, police commissioners or superintendents of police have been asked to ensure that no police station reinstalls them.

However, police officers have criticised the order. “We spend more than 14 hours a day on duty...The AC gives us some respite from the heat. Why would DGP sir take it away from us?” Ahmedabad Mirror quoting an unidentified official as saying.