Himachal Pradesh Announces 180-Day Maternity Leave for Women Home Guards, Boosts Disaster Management Preparedness

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a series of measures to empower the Home Guards and strengthen disaster management during the 62nd State-Level Raising Day celebrations of the Himachal Pradesh Home Guards and Civil Defence. The government has introduced a 180-day maternity leave policy for women Home Guards and increased their daily deployment allowance outside the state from ₹60 to ₹500.

Additionally, 700 vacant posts in the Home Guard force will be filled to enhance its efficiency, and the government plans to modernize the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) with advanced equipment, including drones with higher payload capacities. New drone stations will be established at all district headquarters to improve disaster management capabilities, while funds have been sanctioned for constructing the SDRF headquarters in Palampur and the Kangra Unit campus.

To improve disaster preparedness, Chief Minister Sukhu announced that the state plans to train 1% of its population as Civil Defence volunteers over the next five years. Home Guards will also be designated as First Responders in natural disasters and integrated into the SDRF for faster emergency responses.

The Home Guards, which have already conducted 31,000 rescue and relief operations in the last decade, saving 3,600 lives and protecting properties worth ₹10,000 crore, will see their 74 company offices and 12 training centers designated as Disaster Response Centers.

Four new fire stations have been established in Nadaun, Deha, Indora, and Kotkhai in the past two years. The Fire Services Department has also created 240 new posts and approved the procurement of eight fire vehicles to enhance its capabilities.

During the event, a grand parade featuring 17 contingents and a demonstration on disaster management techniques under the theme "Surakshit Himachal" were highlights. Chief Minister Sukhu lauded the efforts of the Home Guards, SDRF, and Fire Department personnel, especially during last year’s monsoon disaster, which claimed over 500 lives and left 15,000 people homeless.

He also inaugurated ₹15.05 crore worth of Home Guards Department buildings and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving disaster response and readiness across the state.