Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 30: All J&K Home Guards Employees Association has raised serious concerns over long-pending issues affecting Home Guards in the Union Territory, alleging discrimination, neglect and non-implementation of assurances given by the authorities.
A meeting of the Association was held today under the chairmanship of its secretary, Kamla Sharma, during which members discussed unaddressed demands pending before the administration for a long time. The Association demanded that Home Guards employees be granted either Government of India status or UT status at par with their counterparts in other Union Territories.
The Association highlighted wide disparities in remuneration, stating that Home Guards in UT Delhi receive around Rs 24,500 while those in Puducherry, Lakshadweep and Chandigarh receive Rs 28,530, Rs 27,000 and Rs 41,525 respectively. In contrast, Home Guards in J&K continue to receive a stagnant rate of Rs 2,700, despite J&K being declared a Union Territory. It demanded parity with other UTs along with full-year duties of 365 days, instead of the existing 150 days, including training.
The Association also expressed concern over the non-implementation of directions of the Supreme Court of India in this regard and alleged that meetings of the executive body constituted by the administration to review such cases are repeatedly being cancelled without justification.
Members further alleged that despite their frontline role during natural calamities and disasters, Home Guards are routinely ignored when it comes to livelihood security and benefits. The Association also pointed out cases where Home Guards in J&K are allegedly being forcibly removed from service without specific reasons, demanding their reinstatement within 15 days.
Recalling assurances made by the Prime Minister during a 2014 rally in Udhampur, the Association expressed disappointment that the grievances of Home Guards remain unresolved.
The meeting was attended by a large number of Home Guards representatives and office bearers, who collectively urged the administration to take immediate steps to redress their long-standing demands.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
