PUNE: Around 4,000 Home Guards (HG) in Pune district are set to lose regular employment as the State government does not have enough funds to pay their salaries. The State government recently issued a circular directing the district police commissionerate to stop daily employment of home guards into service.
HG is a voluntary force which assists the police department to maintain law and order in the city. It also helps district police personnel during rallies and helps traffic police at signals to keep a check on the flow of traffic.
In Pune district alone, as many as 4,000 home guards help police to maintain law and order. The daily remuneration of Home Guards is Rs 670. Out of 365 days, an HG gets 100 to 110 days of employment as per the need of the police department.
A few HG personnel on the condition of anonymity said that they will be losing an important source of earning. Many personnel have not engaged in any other employment and have lost several opportunities earlier.
Non deployment of HG will have a negative impact and will burden the police force.
