Exciting news for the youth of Himachal Pradesh! The state government has approved direct recruitment for 700 positions in the Home Guard and Civil Defence Department – a first in nearly 10 years. The proposal received the green light during a recent cabinet meeting, paving the way for the recruitment process to begin soon. This recruitment, occurring after 2015, will significantly enhance the department’s capabilities and fill long-vacant roles.
According to a government spokesperson, the department had experienced a severe shortage of manpower over the past several years. This shortage negatively impacted not only security operations but also the ability to fulfill deployment needs within various departments, corporations, and boards. The filling of these 700 positions will now provide opportunities for young people to serve in the government and inject new energy into the department.
Playing a Crucial Role in Safety and Relief Efforts
Currently, the sanctioned strength of Home Guards in the state is 8,000, however, a substantial number of positions remain unfilled. This has presented numerous challenges for the department across various fronts. Home Guard personnel work alongside the police and administration to maintain law and order, manage traffic, provide election duty, and oversee crowd management during festivals and large events.
Furthermore, during emergencies such as natural disasters, road accidents, and forest fires, Home Guards are among the first responders, providing crucial relief efforts. Due to the manpower deficit, fulfilling these responsibilities effectively has been difficult, prompting the government to prioritize this new recruitment drive.
₹24 Crore Budget Approved
The state government has allocated a budget of ₹24 crore for this recruitment process. This includes the salaries of the recruits, along with other associated expenses. The government’s objective is to strengthen the department’s manpower resources, ensuring that the public receives timely and effective security services.
The spokesperson stated that this decision is not only significant from an administrative perspective but also represents a golden opportunity for thousands of young people in Himachal Pradesh to secure government employment. Detailed guidelines and the official notification regarding the recruitment process will be released shortly.
