All India Civil Defence and Home Guards Day: Honoring the Unsung Heroes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | All India Civil Defence and Home Guards Day is observed on December 6 to honor Home Guards and Civil Defence organisations, marking the formation of the Home Guard force on December 6, 1946. |
| Formation | - 1946: Established in Bombay Province to assist police during civil disturbances.- Post-1962: Unified under the Home Guards Act and Rules after the Chinese aggression. |
| Roles and Responsibilities | - Internal Security Maintenance: Assists police in maintaining law and order.- Disaster Management: Responds to air raids, fires, cyclones, earthquakes, and epidemics.- Essential Services & Welfare: Promotes communal harmony and socio-economic activities.- Specialized Duties: Border patrolling, crime prevention, election duties, and prohibition enforcement. |
| Structure | - Rural and Urban Divisions: Cater to region-specific needs.- Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG): Operates in border states (Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal). |
| Strength and Reach | - Sanctioned Strength: 5,73,793 personnel.- Active Personnel: 4,86,401.- Exclusion: Operates in all states/UTs except Kerala. |
| Funding | - Centre-State Share: 25:75 ratio for most states; 50:50 for North-Eastern states (excluding Assam).- FY 2024 Allocation: ₹25 crore, with ₹11.38 crore already distributed. |