The Delhi High Court on March 13, 2019, converted a letter, demanding salary and other benefits for the home gauds on par with the police, into a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
A Bench comprising of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice A.J. Bhambani on taking up the plea filed by Delhi resident Abhijit Mishra has issued notice to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi government, police and director general of home guards to seek their stand on the issue.
In his plea, Mishra has said that despite performing similar duties as the police, the home guards are in a "dilapidated situation".
He urged the court to direct the authorities to provide the home guards with training equivalent to that provided to Delhi police personnel and to also provide the home guards with the same salary and benefits as police personnel when they are deputed to Delhi Police.
Further, he also sought that the home guards and their dependants be covered under the Delhi Government Employees Health Scheme and a government job be provided to next of kin of those who die on duty.
The other benefits he has sought for the home guards include gratuity scheme, provident fund, employee state insurance scheme and group insurance scheme for which premium would be paid by the Delhi government.
The court has posted the matter for further hearing on July 15, 2019.
