By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Civil Defence and Home Guards organisation on Thursday celebrated its 50th Annual Day at its headquarter here at Mawdiangdiang with a resolution to further strengthen its services to the people of Shillong and the State as a whole.
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Minister in charge of Civil Defence and Home Guards, Shitlang Pale, said these two organisations have not only rendered its service in times of emergencies but also play an important role in providing assistance to the State Police and civil administration in maintaining law and order and the likes.
Pale informed that during the current year, frequency of training courses are being increased whereby the number of the home guards volunteers to be trained in a year will be increased from 530 to 846 and similarly, there will be a significant increase in the number of civil defence volunteers to be trained.
During 2011-12, 3185 civil defence volunteers were imparted training and as many as 1617 trained home guards volunteers are currently deployed with various government departments, public sector units and private agencies.
“This has helped the concerned volunteers in earning some income while providing security to the concerned departments and agencies,” the Minister said.
Owing to the shortage of land for the construction of family quarters for the officers and men posted in Shillong, a proposal has been moved by the Directorate of Civil Defence and Home Guards to the State Government to allot additional land at Mawdiangdiang for construction of sufficient number of family quarters and barracks as the existing land is not big enough for the purpose. The same proposal has also been made for construction of family quarters and barracks in Jowai and Tura.
Meanwhile, Director General of Civil Defence and Homeguard Prem Singh informed that a proposal has been made to the government for creation of civil defence offices in four districts in addition to the existing offices in three districts to further strengthen the two organisations.
Singh also stated that a proposal has also been sent to the State Government for creation of Home Guards training centres in four districts in addition to the existing three districts.
Singh also highlighted another problem faced by the home guards personnel at Mawdiangdiang with regards to drinking water.
“To address this problem, the Directorate has used up the funds allotted by the Central Government for drilling of ground water and a proposal will be sent to the government to sanction additional funds for purchasing a pump set to avail the drinking water,” he added.
On the occasion, Pale also gave away the President’s Civil Defence and Home Guards medal for meritorious services to two officers – Dr Leonard Eddie Kakoti Marbaniang and Lawansuk Syiemlieh. He also distributed the Director General Civil Defence’s Disc and commendation certificate for 2011 and 2012 to 18 personnel.