The State Government has announced the recruitment of 700 Home Guards in the Department of Home Guards and Civil Defence — the first such recruitment drive since 2015. This decision was approved in a recent Cabinet meeting.
A government spokesperson highlighted that the 10-year recruitment gap has led to a significant shortage of personnel, severely affecting the department’s ability to respond to deployment requests from various state agencies. The new recruitment is expected to restore operational efficiency and improve readiness for civil emergencies.
The current sanctioned strength of Home Guard volunteers in the state is 8,000, but the department has been operating below capacity. Home Guards assist the police and civil administration in various essential duties, including:
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Maintaining law and order
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Traffic control
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Election duties
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Crowd management during public events and festivals
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Emergency response during natural disasters, road accidents, and forest fires
Their contribution is vital in ensuring public safety and swift disaster response.
To support the induction of new volunteers, the State Government has earmarked a budget of ₹24 crore for remuneration and other related expenses. This move not only addresses the manpower gap but also aims to provide meaningful employment opportunities to the youth.
By boosting its human resources, the state hopes to enhance its civil defence capacity, ensuring it remains well-prepared to tackle the growing needs of public protection and safety across all regions.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
