Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 24: The state government has taken out an order in which the duty allowance of volunteers of home guards of the state is done. However, volunteers are unhappy and have accused the government of discrimination.

Proposal to increase the duty allowance of home guards from Rs 455 to Rs 600 was given by DGP, chief commandant of home guards and civil protection department. However, the government has sanctioned the increase only for 3,025 home guards who are deputed to certain departments against the vacant positions. This does not apply to more than 50% of home guards. So they have expressed their dissatisfaction over the partisan attitude of the government.

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In Karnataka there are 30,156 home guards in 31 districts, out of which 4,750 are women. Those who are serving the railway and police departments are given Rs 750 allowance. Those who are serving in railway department, RTO, NCC and forensic science departments are ordered to be given Rs 600. But there is no increase in the allowance of home guards, who are serving in KSRTC, prisons, temples, NMPT, tourism and home guards’ offices.

The home guards were being paid an allowance of Rs 380 before the new order. However, those who are serving in police and railway departments were ordered to pay Rs 750 a year ago. It is learnt that the departments have reduced the numbers of home guards after the order of the state government to increase the duty allowance.

The volunteers in home guards say that few people are opting to serve in home guards. Those who are willing are discriminated against. After the new order, the home guards say that some departments are giving them service options of one month duty and one month off. Some others are given an opportunity to serve only once in 10 days. This has added misery to their lives.