UP govt: Services of home guards to continue
A letter in this regard has also been sent to the state DGP
LUCKNOW:The state government on Thursday cleared its stand on the move to sack 25,000 home guards and ordered continuation of their services in view of the festive season.
“The government has decided to continue with the existing system of home guards in providing security during the upcoming festive season. A letter in this regard has also been sent to the director general of police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh and the officials concerned,” said additional chief secretary Awanish Kumar Awasthi.
LUCKNOW: The state government on Thursday cleared its stand on the move to sack 25,000 home guards and ordered continuation of their services in view of the festive season.
“The government has decided to continue with the existing system of home guards in providing security during the upcoming festive season. A letter in this regard has also been sent to the director general of police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh and the officials concerned,” said additional chief secretary Awanish Kumar Awasthi.
The letter, sent on October 23, said duties must be given to home guards as per the existing budget of the home guards department.
Ramendra Yadav, leader of the home guards’ union, said, “It is a welcome move by the government and we are hopeful that government will also increase the duty hours of the home guards.”
Yadav added that a meeting will be held to deliberate on postponing the home guards’ protest scheduled for next month.
The controversy began after a letter written by additional director general (ADG) BP Jogdand came into light earlier this month.
The letter, which stated that the services of 25,000 home guards must be terminated, was sent to the superintendents of police of all districts and senior officials. The order led to a furore among home guards and they organised small protests across the state.
The state machinery turned defensive after the protests. Senior officials and ministers openly gave assurances that ran counter to the order. Minster for home guards Chetan Chauhan told reporters that his department had not received any letter with a decision to terminate the services of home guards.
He reiterated that no one will lose their jobs.
Director general of UP home guards GL Meena said the order will not amount to ‘removal’ of home guards. Over 90,000 home guards were currently available across the state and 48,156 had been assigned duties. The allotment of duties is done via a computer program to ensure fairness.
THE GOVT HAS DECIDED TO CONTINUE WITH THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF HOME GUARDS IN PROVIDING SECURITY DURING THE UPCOMING FESTIVE SEASON.