Retirement age of home guards raised from 50 to 60 years

NEWDELHI: The Delhi government on Tuesday approved the amendment to the Home Guards Rules, 2008, allowing extension of the maximum age of voluntary services of home guards from existing 50 years to 60 years. The decision was taken at a meeting of Delhi cabinet presided over by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

“The present age of their disengagement was 50 years, which led to the early departure of many home guards. Those, who were disengaged due to the 50-year norm, would now be given a choice to rejoin if they wish,” said a government spokesperson.

Home guards are volunteers who discharge functions and duties such as aiding police and government in law and order, security of property and public safety.

Presently, against a sanctioned strength of 10,285, the number of home guards is 4,390. The age of disengagement was reduced from 60 years to 50 years in 2008. Their services are provided to departments such as police, education, DTC, health, among others.

“The Delhi government in principle has also decided to hire 6,000 new home guards. The proposal will soon be moved to the cabinet for its approval,” the spokesperson said.

AC BUS STUDENT PASSES

The cabinet also approved the facility of student concessional passes in air-conditioned buses of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and those running under cluster scheme.

“The student passes would be issued to all beneficiaries in accordance with the said regulation. The reimbursement of subsidy to the DTC will be done as per the prevailing pattern,” the spokesperson said. These passes shall be available to the bonafide students of educational institutions in Delhi, recognized by the universities set up in Delhi by the Act of Parliament, central government, Delhi administration and municipal corporations of Delhi. The students would be able to avail free travel on AC buses apart from other buses on a pass of ₹100, he said.

CONTRACT LABOUR

The cabinet also approved the proposal to not completely disengage contract labour associated with a contractor after one project. Until now, the Delhi government gives out service contracts and the contractor hires its own manpower. However, when the contract period gets over and if the contractor gets changed, fresh manpower is brought by the new contractor and the earlier ones are removed.

This, the spokesperson said, causes problems to the labourers. “The Delhi cabinet resolved that henceforth the new contractor shall keep a minimum of 80% of earlier manpower. If the new contractor, however, plans to reduce the manpower due to mechanization or any other reasons, then he shall accommodate at least 80% of the new strength from existing manpower,” the spokesperson said.