48th State Level Raising Day of Himachal Home Guards

DHARMSHALA----48th State Level Raising Day of Himachal Home Guards and Civil Defence was celebrated with fanfare and gaiety at Police Grounds, Dharamshala today where Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, unfurled the organisational flag, inspected the parade and took salute from the volunteers of Home Guards and the contingents commanded by Shri Bhopal Chauhan.

Addressing Home Guards volunteers on the occasion, Chief Minister lauded the role of Home Guards as auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security, perform multi-farious duties, help the community in any kind of emergency such as air-raids, fire, epidemics, cyclones, earthquakes etc., help in maintenance of essential services, promote communal harmony and assist the administration in protecting weaker sections, participate in socio-economic and welfare activities and perform civil defence duties as well. He said that the motive behind raising Home Guards and Civil Defence Organisation was to infuse a spirit of service, courage and patriotism amongst the people and channelise their energies in the service of the nation.

Prof. Dhumal said that Home Guards had been provided 100 percent reservation in the recruitment of firemen and 82 had been recruited during past two years, 15 percent reservation in recruitment of constables in Police Department, Warders in Prison department and Forest Guards in the Forest Department and additionally they were eligible to compete for the regular posts of Havildar and Platoon Commanders in Home Guards and hundreds of Home Guards had availed the reservation and were functioning on regular basis. He said that the State Government had raised the age limit of Home Guards to render service upto 58 years which was only in Himachal in the country. He said that the daily allowance of Home Guards had also been increased twice first from Rs. 130 to Rs. 150 on 15th August, 2008 onwards from Rs. 150 to Rs. 170 from September 1, 2009 onwards. He said that the daily allowance was earlier also enhanced from Rs. 51 to Rs. 60 in year 1998 when BJP came to power in the State. He said that two commandants, four company commanders, 10 Havildar Instructors posts had been approved during 2009-10 and the same were being filled up on priority.

Chief Minister lauded the role of Home Guards and congratulated for winning 12 gallantry, 7 distinguished and 88 meritorious service medals by the President of India. He said that the State had authorised strength of 8000 Home Guards out of which over 5100 remain called-out throughout the year on various assignments.. He said that Civil Defence organisation was in the process of revamping and being converted from town centric to district centric organisation. He said that upgradation of infrastructure and purchase of new equipments during past three years was on the top agenda of the state government and organisation was likely to get its new training centre and divisional offices at Shimla and Dharamshala.

Chief Minister congratulated the volunteers for their remarkable service towards the state and people and hoped that the organisation would carry forward with its rich traditions.

Shri B.Kamal Kumar, Commandant General Home Guards and Additional Director General of Police welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for his participation in the Raising Day celebration. He detailed out the objectives behind raising of the Organisation and the historic background as well.

Shri S.R.Sharma, Deputy Commandant General and Inspector General of Police proposed vote of thanks.

Home Gaurd Band gave an impressive display of their professional skills and entertained the audience on the occasion.

Shri Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister, Dr. D.S.Manhas, Director General of Police, Shri Ajay Mittal, Principal Secretary Home, Shri I.D.Bhandari, ADGP, Shri P.L.Thakur, Inspector General (North Range) Dr. Arun Sharma, Principal Private Secretary to CM, Shri R.S. Gupta, D.C, Shri Diljeet Thakur, S.P, other senior police officers and Home Guards officers were present among others on the occasion.