The Maharashtra government announced the implementation of khaki uniforms for all registered security guards across the state.

The decision marks the culmination of over ten years of tireless efforts by labour organizations and grassroots workers.

“The new uniform is now in effect. We have begun the distribution process,” Ashok L Doke, deputy commissioner of labour, confirmed.

Commenting on the decision, former Minister Suresh Khade said, “Having been a labourer myself, I understand the struggles of security guards. During my tenure, we even sent sample uniforms to the department. I believed that security guards deserve to not only be professional but also look smart.”

The announcement about khakhi uniform was made by Maharashtra Labour Minister Adv. Aakash Fundkar.

As per the new guidelines, security guards will be required to wear khaki shirts and trousers, paired with a blue cap featuring the logo and name of Maharashtra Security Guards Welfare Board.

It has been a long pending demand of the security guard organisations. The campaign for this change began back in 2014 in Navi Mumbai, spearheaded by people like Maruti Zade, the general secretary of My Baliraja Security Guards and Drivers General Workers Union. The activists collected over 40,000 signatures which were submitted to then Labour Minister Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar.

Despite the initial momentum, the proposal faced delays due to bureaucratic hurdles. However, Zade, along with Avinash Kadam (president, My Baliraja Union) and Amit Deshe (president, Swabhiman Security Guards Nyay Sanghatana, continued to push. The team secured a critical meeting with then Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who acted quickly to clear the file.