Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Announces Home Guards Recruitment and Women in Fire Services
Celebrating the 63rd Raising Day of Home Guards
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led the celebrations for the 63rd Raising Day of the Home Guards and Civil Defence in Shimla at Sarogheen today.
During the event, he expressed his appreciation for the contributions made by the Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire Services, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) towards the safety and development of Himachal Pradesh. He highlighted that these departments successfully executed 708 search and rescue missions last year, saving 448 lives.
Significant Achievements and Future Plans
He noted that the professional efforts of these teams safeguarded property valued at Rs. 2,000 crore and restored over 1,035 water sources and bodies, marking a significant achievement.
The Chief Minister emphasized the government's commitment to women's empowerment, announcing that women will soon be included in the Fire Services, with necessary recruitment rule amendments underway. Additionally, recruitment for Home Guards will begin shortly.
Investments in Fire Services and Support for Women
Sukhu mentioned that the government is actively working to enhance the capabilities of the Home Guards and Civil Defence Department. In the current term, four new fire stations have been established in Deha, Ubadesh, Nerwa, and Indora, along with the procurement of 27 new fire tenders and the sanctioning of 150 posts for their operation.
A budget of Rs. 55 crore has been allocated for the Fire Services Modernization Scheme, and advanced equipment worth Rs. 6 crore has been provided to the SDRF to improve operational efficiency. This includes drones for aerial surveys and monitoring disaster-prone areas, significantly enhancing preparedness.
Support for Women Home Guards and New Initiatives
The Chief Minister also announced the extension of maternity leave benefits for women Home Guards, ensuring they receive necessary support during maternity.
On this occasion, he introduced the 'Miracle of Mind' mobile application, developed in partnership with the Isha Foundation, aimed at combating drug abuse.
He recognized various units and personnel for their exemplary service, and the Home Guards and Civil Defence Department showcased a 'Safe Himachal' demonstration featuring fire-fighting and search-and-rescue drills.
Event Highlights and Acknowledgments
Earlier, Additional Director General Satwant Atwal Trivedi welcomed the Chief Minister and provided a comprehensive overview of the department's activities, noting that nearly 11,000 mock drills and 3,000 awareness camps were conducted, training around 200,000 citizens.
Deputy Commandant General Arvind Parashar delivered the vote of thanks, and several dignitaries, including Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh and Additional Chief Secretary Shyam Bhagat Negi, were present at the event.