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| Path to deliverance for home guards still bumpy | | 1325 days' incarceration on roads | | ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 9: Years have gone but the voice of about 1300 home guards protesting outside the office of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu is still unheard in the corridors of bureaucratic set up. Undeterred by apathetic attitude of authorities concerned, besides several odds of life, 1325 days have been passed since they began their struggle on November 9, 2006 to get justice in the form of either confirmation of their jobs or enhancement of their monthly wages at par with their counter parts in Punjab and other neighbouring states.
What really heartrending and upsetting for a common man was to note that though both the Union as well as State Governments have hiked the salaries of their employees several times by giving them the benefit of pay panel report, yet this section of administration has been ignored and they are getting meagre Rs 410 per month (nearly Rs 14 a day) for their services.
The neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh and Bihar have recently increased the daily allowances of home guards (Rs 125 to Rs 200 per day), besides enhancing the compensation from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh in case a homeguard died in harness.
Though the protesting homeguards have already apprised the Union Ministers including Home Minister, P Chidambaram and Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee and AICC general secretary, Rahul Gandhi about their miseries, the problem remains same.
Talking to the Early Times, Kamla Sharma, president All J&K Home Guards Welfare Association said, "Today is the 1325th consecutive day of our dharna as we had started our agitation on November 9, 2006. We have decided not to end our struggle till our demands are accepted. We want written assurance from the government."
"Hum Yahin Divisional Commissioner Office Ke Bahar Apni Jaan De Denge, Agar Hume Insaaf Nahi Mila (we will sacrifice our lives here if justice is not delivered to us)," she cautioned and lamented, "We have not committed any crime. The Government has hiked the salaries of ministers, MLAs and employees but it did not prefer to give a sympathetic look to us."
She claimed that the former Chief Minister and the present Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had came to meet them at Mubarak Mandi during his tenure as Chief Minister and had assured them that their demands would be fulfilled within a week period.
"Azad had constituted a committee on February 28, 2007 under order number 81 Home of 2007 and appointed Director General of Police, Inspector General of Police Home Guards, Commissioner/Secretary Home department and Finance Commissioner but it also did not yield any fruitful results," Kamla regretted.
She further claimed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also gave his nod to "Welfare and Benevolent" Fund for home guards as per the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs.
"It would be surprised for everyone that we were paid Rs 4500 per month during training period of 36 months while our salary has been fixed as Rs 410 per month," she said.
She disclosed that though the members of the association had several meetings with the Cabinet ministers, yet it has not yielded fruitful results.
Perturbed over government's indifferent attitude, the striking homeguards have decided to meet the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi seeking their personal intervention.
"We are going to New Delhi tomorrow. We would seek a meeting with the Prime Minister and UPA chairperson so that we can apprise them about the state government's apathetic attitude," she maintained.
Duties of Home Guards:
o To serve as Auxiliary to the Police and generally help in maintaining internal security.
o To help the community in any kind of Emergency--such as on Air-raid precautions or on any natural Calamity.
o To function as an Emergency Force intended for special tasks directly or indirectly connected with the defence of the country.
o To maintain functional units to provide essential services such as motor transport, Engineering groups, Fire brigade, Nursing and First Aid, Operation of Power supply, Water installations and Communication systems etc.
o The Border Wing of 18 battalions assists the Border Security Force. Marine Units function as an Indian Coast Guard auxiliary. The Fire Wing assists the Indian Fire service
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