After the Supreme Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay Home Guards in the state police department at par with constables, allegedly 25,000 of them were discharged from their duties citing budget constraints.
For the uninitiated, these Home Guards are tasked with traffic management and draw a daily allowance as opposed to a fixed monthly salary. This amount increased from Rs.500 to Rs.672 due to the apex court’s orders.
According to The Economic Times, Additional Director General (ADG) B.P. Jogdand issued an order stating, “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.”
It won’t be a happy Diwali for 25,000 Home Guards in Uttar Pradesh as the state government have decided to remove them from their postings at police stations and traffic signals citing budget constraints.https://t.co/thyRP19kLB
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) October 15, 2019
In addition, the working days of 99,000 Home Guards were reduced from 25 to 15. But this decision sparked a backlash from various quarters. The Home Guards themselves took the streets to oppose the move, the opposition argued that it would cause widespread unemployment and citizens said that traffic management will be negatively impacted in the state.
In Uttar Pradesh 25,000 home guards were removed as a cost-cutting measure. These home guards took to an innovative way of protest, by begging on the streets! #UPHomeguards pic.twitter.com/BWXLderbBR
— Vibhinna Ideas (@Vibhinnaideas) October 16, 2019
However, when Home Guard Minister Chetan Chauhan was asked to clarify, he said, “We have not received any official letter from the Home Department. I assure that no one will be removed from their jobs. No formal decision has been taken.”
Home guards Minister Chetan Chauhan on UP Govt's reported decision to terminate service of 25,000 home guards: We have not received any official letter from the home department. I assure that no one will be removed from their jobs. No formal decision has been taken. (15.10) pic.twitter.com/yrmSpPnCZw
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) October 16, 2019
NDTV further quoted him saying,
“Due to budget constraints, the days of duty will be reduced to 20-22 from 30 days.”
We hope that the government reconsiders its decision and avoid jeopardizing the employment of thousands of personnel in the police department.