Home Guard raising day observed

The 63rd Home Guard Raising Day was observed across Prakasam, Nellore, Kadapa and Tirupati districts on Saturday (December 6). Various events commemorating the services and importance of Home Guards were organised on the occassion.

The honorarium for Home Guards was only ₹2 per day when the system was established in 1963; currently, it is ₹710 per day, said Prakasam Superintendent of PolicePolicePolice (SP) V. Harshavardhan Raju on the occasion.

Speaking about the welfare schemes for Home Guards, he said that it was in Andhra Pradesh that a cooperative society for Home Guards was established for the first time. Based on eligibility, it can offer a loan up to ₹1 lakh. Every month, ₹50 is collected from each Home Guard, and ₹20 is deposited in the State fund and ₹30 in the district home guard welfare fund. Home Guards are also eligible for an assistance of ₹5,000.