In an effort to improve the public image of cops, Orissa Director General of Police Bipin Behari Mishra has directed all his men to shed weight within 60 days or face the risk of losing their jobs.
The DGP has sent circulars to all district superintendents of police to implement the rule with immediate effect.
Fat police officials will have to reduce their girth to a maximum of 40 inches, the circular says.
A senior official of the state home department said people laugh at the cops who wear a big belly. "The men need to tone up to look impressive so that people will respect them," he added.
Those officials who are unable to lose weight within the prescribed time will be removed from the service on charges of not maintaining fitness, he said.
Orissa has around 40,000 police personnel in the state's 459 police stations and traffic posts.