Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday announced that the State Government would soon equip Home Guards and Fire Services with advanced technology to bolster disaster response mechanisms. He also declared the commencement of the recruitment process for 700 new Home Guard personnel in the coming months.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the valedictory function of Fire Service Week held at the State Fire Training Centre in Baldeyan in Shimla district. The week-long event, observed from April 14 to 20, concluded with spectacular demonstrations of firefighting and rescue operations by trained personnel. Sukhu flagged off 13 newly-procured fire vehicles on the occasion, further enhancing the Department’s operational readiness.
Paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of fire service personnel, the Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each for the families of two martyrs — Joginder Pal and Ghanshyam — who laid down their lives in the line of duty in Nalagarh, district Solan, in 2009. A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Shaheed Smarak to honour their memory.
“Protecting lives and property in the face of danger is not merely a duty — it’s a noble service,” Sukhu remarked. He expressed pride in the unwavering commitment of the fire, police, and home guard personnel, especially during the previous year’s devastating monsoon disaster. Their bravery, he said, saved countless lives and prevented further damage to public infrastructure.
Underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening disaster management infrastructure, the Chief Minister said that the mountainous state’s vulnerability to natural calamities necessitates constant upgradation of emergency services. He added that filling vacant posts in the Home Guards was a top priority and that recruitment would begin soon to address the manpower shortage.
Sukhu also used the occasion to outline the broader vision of his government. He said that Himachal Pradesh was on the path to becoming self-reliant despite economic challenges and natural disasters. “We are reforming outdated laws and policies to make governance people-centric,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the previous BJP government, he alleged mismanagement of public funds and rampant corruption. Sukhu claimed that his administration had plugged financial leakages and generated over Rs 2,200 crore in additional revenue by eliminating backdoor channels.
Highlighting ongoing reforms, the Chief Minister said that 100 government schools would soon adopt the CBSE curriculum in a pilot phase, and substantial improvements in public healthcare services were also underway. “These reforms,” he assured, “will bring visible change in the lives of ordinary citizens.”
CM’s Key Announcements
· Recruitment of 700 Home Guards to begin shortly
· 13 new fire vehicles flagged off to enhance emergency response
· Rs 5 lakh financial aid announced for each of two fire martyrs' families
· Modern technology to be introduced in Fire and Home Guard services
· CBSE curriculum likely in 100 govt schools as pilot reform
· Major healthcare revamp underway across the state
· Over Rs 2200 crore additional revenue generated through anti-corruption drive