Lauding the personnel of Home Guards and Civil Defence on the organization’s 63rd raising day on 6 December, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said today that the Home Guards symbolise ‘Nishkaam Seva’ (Selfless Service), and they saved 5,075 lives across the state during the year.
The CM said Home Guards work with sincerity, without expectation or self-interest, to serve society, and the force stands by citizens during natural disasters, crowd management, traffic regulation, and difficult situations while supporting the police.
Dr Yadav said the force provided a shield of trust and service after Independence when India was building its civil defence structure.
“A home guard is as important as a soldier posted on the border, as they are key to internal security and social stability,” the CM emphasized, while addressing the raising day event at Bhopal. The Chief Minister reviewed the parade and took the salute as home guard personnel marched to band tunes.
The CM said that home guards, civil defence and the state disaster response force (SDRF) have together strengthened disaster management since the formation of the SDRF in 2014. He said the force saved 5,075 people last year and rescued hundreds during floods this year.
He announced the establishment of the ‘Mukhyamantri Adamya Saahasik Kaarya Puraskaar’ under which 10 rescue teams that save lives and property in difficult conditions will receive Rs 51,000 annually.
Rescue teams from Indore, Shivpuri, Guna, Raisen, Mandla, Narsinghpur, Rewa, Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh and Ujjain were felicitated.
He declared the discontinuation of the compulsory two-month break after three years of service and announced an increase in the annual ex-gratia grant of Rs 360. He said 488 posts had been approved for security at the Mahakal Jyotirlinga and Mahakal Lok in Ujjain and additional posts would be created in new districts.
Yadav said permanent housing for personnel near workplaces would be arranged under schemes including PPP models and redevelopment plans to ensure quick disaster response.
He said the state continued to strengthen modern equipment, advanced training and disaster management capacity. Madhya Pradesh has registered more than 82,000 civil defence volunteers, of whom 67,784 have been specially trained.
The Ralamandal area in Indore is being developed as a special training centre for SDRF, Home Guards and Civil Defence for flood, earthquake, crowd, industrial and chemical disaster training.
He said preparations had begun for Simhastha-2028 with a target to recruit more than 5,000 home guards. A company would be formed to train Baiga, Bharia and Sahariya tribal youth for recruitment in security forces.
Home guard personnel also conducted live demonstrations of borewell and building rescues during the ceremony.
Director General of Home Guards and Civil Defence Pragya Richa Shrivastava presented the department’s achievements and schemes.
MP Director General of Police Kailash Makwana and other officials were present.