Yogi govt fires 25,000 Home Guards; 99,000 to lose regular employment

Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday decided to fire at least 25,000 home guards deployed across police stations and traffic signal in Uttar Pradesh.

The Uttar Pradesh police headquarters in Prayagraj stated in its order that 25,000 home guards will be relieved from their duties.

“The decision to end 25,000 home guard services was taken on August 28 this year in a meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary,” the order stated.

According to a report in ABP News, a source said, “After their salary was hiked to equal the salary given to policemen, the budget of the department started to suffer. In order to lighten the burden on the budget, the termination of the services of the home guards was proposed.”

The number of home guards employed for the maintenance of law and order has been reduced sharply by 32%.

Over 99,000 Home Guards will also stand to lose regular employment, as UP government has cut the number of days they are required to report for duty from 25 to 15 days, News18 reported.

According to a report in CNN News18, the Supreme Court had earlier moved to pay daily allowances of UP Home Guards at par with the UP Police constable. However, this good news for the home guards couldn’t last. The UP Home Guards are mostly deployed for the traffic management system in the state, which is now likely to face issues.

“There is a certain budget for Home Guards and when their daily allowance is increased, it will definitely have an effect on their duty days. It might have some effect as Diwali season is around the corner, however, I am sure the state government has taken a decision after thinking over the financial constraints. If Home Guards are given allowances at par with the constables then they should also be trained like them,” former DGP of UP, AK Jain told News18.