Delhi L-G VK Saxena clears Home Guard files, civil defence volunteers to be given extra preference
The process of enrolment of more than 10,000 personnel in Delhi Home Guards will be completed by March 2024.
3 min read
L-G Saxena has also issued directions to give preference by way of 10 extra marks to experienced CDVs during the selection process as they already have worked as bus marshals in public transport. (Express File Photo) Amid the ongoing protest by civil defence volunteers (CDVs) removed from their jobs as bus marshals, Delhi L-G VK Saxena Monday cleared the enrolment of more than 10,000 new home guard personnel to be appointed bus marshals in all DTC and cluster buses. He issued directions to give preference in the form of extra credit to experienced CDVs during selection as they already have worked as bus marshals.
According to L-G House officials, newly recruited personnel will be on the rolls by March 2024. “Once enrolled, these home guards will get about Rs 25,000 a month,” said officials.
Their salaries pending for months, lives of hundreds of CDVs were thrown into disarray after an order was issued to discontinue their services on November 1. The revenue and finance departments had raised technicalities over their appointment as bus marshals. According to provisions of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, CDVs are to be called out only for dealing with situations such as hostile attacks or for disaster management and they are paid an honorarium.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal later directed the revenue department to chalk out a proposal to appoint CDVs as home guards and give them jobs as bus marshals. This was also proposed by the L-G.
In its response to the decision, the Delhi government said: “We appreciate and welcome the move by L-G. The safety of women is extremely important. However, we hope the L-G will take strong action against officers who removed all bus marshals and put the safety of women at risk.”
Chairing a meeting to review the enrolment of 10,285 new home guards, officials said the L-G directed officials to reduce the timeline from June 2024 to March 2024, ensure transparency in selection, and provide 10 bonus points to ex-CDVs.
“He also directed that the age limit for enrolment into the Home Guard be brought down to 45 years from the existing 60 years, in line with the maximum age limit in other states and to ensure personnel enrolled serve the purpose of acting as auxiliary to the regular police force,” said officials.
“The minimum qualification has been raised from Class X to Class XII in line with the required minimum qualification for appointment of constables in Delhi Police,” added the L-G house.
Officials said teams comprising a senior officer each from the district administration, the Delhi Police, and Central Armed Police Force will serve on the Board to assess physical efficiency of candidates.
“The process will be videographed through CCTVs installed at all locations. Once candidates clear the physical test, they will be eligible for the Computer-based Entrance Test,” said officials.
The process is expected to begin once the advertisement is issued. The Physical Measurement and Efficiency Test (PMET) will begin in the first week of February 2024. The CBT will be completed thereafter and final results will be out by March 2024.
You May Like
