63rd Foundation Day celebration of Home Guards and Civil Defence today, CM Dhami made announcements

DAINIK NATION BUREAU/DEHRADUN

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the 63rd Foundation Day celebrations of the Home Guards and Civil Defence at Nanurkheda, Dehradun, on Monday. He inspected the ceremonial parade and released the department’s 2025 Souvenir and 2026 Calendar. The Chief Minister also distributed cheques to the dependents of serving and deceased Home Guard personnel.

Announcing several major welfare measures, the Chief Minister said Home Guard volunteers will now be provided a uniform allowance, while the food allowance for personnel on inter-district duty has been increased from ₹100 to ₹150 per day. The training allowance for Civil Defence volunteers has been raised from ₹50 to ₹140 per day.

Extending greetings on the Foundation Day, Dhami said the parade showcased the dedication, courage and discipline of Home Guard personnel, who carry out their duties with commitment even in adverse conditions. He added that the state government has taken multiple decisions to strengthen the organization and improve the welfare of its personnel.

For the first time, the government has approved 12 casual leaves for Home Guard personnel and introduced maternity leave for women Home Guards. Personnel deployed at altitudes above 9,000 feet will now receive a daily incentive of ₹200, similar to police and NDRF teams. Home Guards trained alongside SDRF personnel are receiving a daily incentive of ₹100.

The Chief Minister praised the Home Guards for their key role in traffic management, maintaining law and order, and facilitating major religious events like the Kumbh Mela and Kanwar Yatra. He also highlighted the Home Guards Help Desks established at the four Dhams and in Haridwar, which assist pilgrims and tourists from across the country and abroad.

Dhami reiterated that the state government is committed to honouring the courage and service of Home Guard personnel and will continue working for their welfare.

Dignitaries present on the occasion included MLAs Umesh Sharma Kau, Khajan Das, Savita Kapoor, Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Rishikesh Mayor Shambhu Paswan, Kailash Pant, Madhu Bhatt, Shyamveer Saini, Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, DGP Deepam Seth, DG Home Guards P.V.K. Prasad, and other senior officials.