Terrorists could get a free hand if the state govt carries out its threat to withdraw Home Guards if Railways don't pay half their salaries
Terrorists could get a free hand if the state govt carries out its threat to withdraw Home Guards if Railways don't pay half their salaries
The sense of safety that we feel at railways stations could be shattered. The Home Guards posted at railway stations could be removed if the government has its way.
The Government Railway Police (GRP), which is part of the state government, has threatened to withdraw the Home Guards posted on platforms if the Railways don't bear 50 per cent of the salaries paid to them.
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Home Guards were posted at stations after the July 11, 2006, serial train blasts, which left 188 dead and over 200 injured.
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GRP Commissioner A K Sharma has written to GMs of Central and Western Railway asking them to pay half of the Rs 10 crore that Home Guards are paid every year.
This cost is presently borne by the state government.
According to GRP officials, around 1,500 Home Guards have been deployed at suburban stations, with each being paid Rs 190 per day.
"Since, these Home Guards are deployed for security at railway stations, the Railways have to bear at least a part of the cost," said a GRP official.
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"If they can't pay, the RPF, which is part of the Railways, should take over the security."
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Rubbish!
The Railways are obviously in no mood to compromise. While Central Railway Chief Security Commissioner B S Sidhu refused to comment, a senior Railway official said, "The GRP gave an assurance to the Union Home Ministry about posting Home Guards after the blasts on their own.
They didn't consult the railway administration while doing so."
He pointed out that the railways already pay half of the GRP's salaries, even though they're under the state government.
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"The GRP claims that security is the Railways' responsibility. Then why are they drawing 50 per cent of the salary from us?" he asked.
In Numbers
4
Number of Home Guards per railway station. Bigger stations have more
1,500
Total number of Home Guards posted at suburban stations
Rs 10 crore
Amount the state government pays as salaries to Home Guards per annum
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