SHILLONG, DEC 6: Meghalaya minister of civil defence & home guards Sniawbhalang Dhar said the centre has approved the proposal for the procurement weapons as a measure to upgrade the weaponry of the home guards in the state.
Dhar informed on Saturday, “During the current year, the centre under the Modernization of Police Force Scheme 2013-14 and 2014-15, have sanctioned procurement of 9 mm pistols, 7.62 self loading rifles (SLR) and INSAS rifles.”
Dhar said the centre has also accorded its approval for the procurement of 1000 old but serviceable 7.62 SLR from CRPF as a move to upgrade the weaponry of the home guards in the state.” According to him, the home guards and civil defence have over the years rendered yeoman services to the society.
Dhar said this during the annual day celebration of the home guards & civil defence held at Mawdiangdiang on Saturday.
Dhar also informed two transit quarters of the department are under construction at the new land allotted by the government in Mawkasiang area adding that in Tura the construction of the Civil Defence office, boundary brick wall fencing and approach road is also in progress.
On the strengthening of the manpower, Dhar said during the current year the government has approved the sanction for the creation of two additional post of senior staff officers, two junior staff officers, three driver posts and 24 additional posts for Meghalaya secretariat Home Guards, Shillong, besides promotion to various ranks.
Dhar said,“These recruitments and the promotions will lead to the strengthening of department and improve its capacity to provide assistance to the civil administration and society as a whole.”
Stating that the spirit of service by the department is of highest essence, Dhar said that these two organizations have played a significant role in providing assistance during many emergencies besides calamity both natural and man-made.
Dhar informed that the department has imparted training on disaster management on search and rescue and medical first aid to about 3466 local public and students in urban and rural areas, ngos, schools, colleges and offices.
During the current year, 521 home guards volunteers and 8088 civil defence volunteers were trained, Dhar said even as he informed over 1500 trained home guard personnel are currently deployed with various government departments and private agencies.
Pointing that Meghalaya is highly seismic prone zone, Dhar said, “The state government has also recently allotted an additional 15 acres of land to the department for the purpose of imparting training to volunteers especially in disaster relief and management.”
The state has also notified its own SDRF, Dhar said adding, “The state government has also approved an amount of Rs 54.7 lakhs for procurement of equipments and accessories as a move to strengthen the SDRF to ensure quick response to any emergency.”
Earlier, 39 personnel were awarded with various awards including the President’s Medal and Director General Award in recognition of the devotion and dedication shown by them while performing their services.
The awards were presented to the awardees by Dhar and Director General of Home Guards & Defence Kulbir Krishan
A rescue operation drill was also demonstrated by the personnel during the function.- By Our Reporter
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