Home guard volunteers cannot claim regularisation or permanent retention of their services and are paid wages by the requisitioning agencies.
Civil Defence and Home Guards Minister, Comingone Ymbon told the Assembly today that the home guards is a voluntary organisation and payment of duty allowance/salary to volunteers lies with the principal employer. All matters relating to services of those volunteers such as discontinuation of service, reinstatement, etc., rest at the full discretion of the agencies.
Replying to a query raised by VPP MLA Ardent M Basaiawmoit, the minister said that the department is only a nominating agency of the home guard volunteers.
Basaiawmoit said it is the responsibility of the government to look after the grievances of the home guard volunteers, keeping in mind the nature of work they have to perform. “We were often told their salaries are always delayed and they don’t enjoy any perks. Government should look at it on humanitarian grounds,” he said while also suggesting that an agreement could be made between the two parties.
The minister replied that the government is trying to find ways and means to check the problems of the volunteers
In a supplementary answer, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the concerns are genuine and but the government has to also follow rules set for different categories.
“As per the minister’s reply these are on daily wage basis, so the volunteers are paid based on their working days and it is upon the individual if they want to work or not that’s why it’s termed as voluntary,” said Sangma.
Nongthymmai MLA Charles Pyngrope suggested the government to adopt a system whereby the requisitioning agency can directly deposit their payment into their bank account for them to get paid on time.
The Chief Minister said the delay in payment of dues was because there is no provision under the budget for the home guards. “The requisition is based on need but we can try to ensure there is no delay and we try to clear things in advance,” he added
Leader of Opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh suggested that the government should come up with a security cover for these volunteers so that there can be a sense of financial security.
The minister assured to look into the suggestion.
