UP Raises Village Guards’ Monthly Honorarium From ₹2,500 To ₹3,500

A ceremony to honour village guards was organised at the auditorium of the Police Lines in Hathras on Tuesday, 13 October. The programme was held to mark the increase in the honorarium of village guards, also known as chowkidars. The honorarium has been increased from ₹2500 to ₹3500 per month.

Sadar MLA and chairperson of the Joint Committee on Women and Child Development, Anjula Singh Mahaur, presided over the programme. Sikandra Rao MLA Virendra Singh Rana, Sadabad MLA Pradeep Kumar, District Magistrate Satya Prakash Patel and Superintendent of Police Chiranjiv Nath Sinha were present on the occasion.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced the increase in the monthly honorarium of around 70 thousand village guards, or chowkidars, across the state from ₹2500 to ₹3500. He also referred to an initiative to provide them cashless medical facilities of up to five lakh rupees.

The Chief Minister’s programme, organised at the Bareilly Police Lines, was broadcast live at the auditorium of the Hathras Police Lines. Elected representatives, officials and village guards watched and listened to the live broadcast.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sadar MLA Anjula Singh Mahaur said village chowkidars play an important role in the security of the country and in maintaining law and order. She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself describes himself as the country’s chowkidar and, therefore, everyone should remain alert towards their responsibilities.

Anjula Singh Mahaur thanked the Chief Minister for increasing the honorarium and for making cashless medical facilities available. She said the development of villages was necessary to fulfil the resolve of creating a developed India by 2047. The progress of villages, she said, would contribute to the progress of the district, the state and the country.

She extended her best wishes to the village guards for their good health and assured them of all possible support.

Sikandra Rao MLA Virendra Singh Rana said village guards know every family and every person in their villages. They also have important information about activities in the village, possible disputes and anti-social elements.

He said village guards should convey correct and impartial information fearlessly to the officer in charge of the concerned police station. This, he said, would help in curbing crime and ensuring justice for villagers.

Virendra Singh Rana said the state government was working to strengthen good governance and the security system, while also making efforts to provide respect and support to people standing at the last point of society.

Sadabad MLA Pradeep Kumar said village guards are an important link in the village security and information system. They convey information about activities taking place in villages, possible disputes and rumours to the officials.

He said that in 2017, the honorarium of village guards had been increased from 1500 rupees to 2500 rupees. It has now been increased further to 3500 rupees. He thanked the state government for providing cashless health facilities to village guards and their families.

District Magistrate Satya Prakash Patel said village guards are the “eyes, nose and ears” of the police and administration. He said they play an important role in providing information about conditions in villages, local problems and matters related to law and order.

According to the District Magistrate, the information received from village guards helps not only in maintaining law and order but also in taking development works forward effectively.

He said the village chowkidar system received an institutional form under the Indian Police Act, 1861. He added that the designation of village guards had been changed with the objective of giving them a respectable identity.

The District Magistrate assured the village guards that work would be carried out to give them proper respect and to make their role more effective.

He directed all station house officers to hold a dialogue with village guards at least once a week. He also said that subordinate sub-inspectors and beat police personnel should remain in contact with the village guards.

The District Magistrate instructed that village guards should be treated respectfully at the police station level. Their problems should be heard, and their suggestions and information should be considered seriously.

He said that, apart from police station days and tehsil days, senior police and administrative officers would also hold meetings and interact with village guards in small groups. The Superintendent of Police, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Circle Officers would also play a role in making this system effective.

The District Magistrate said the contribution of village guards would remain important in maintaining law and order in view of the upcoming elections, gathering information about local conditions and taking necessary action in time.

During the programme, regional vice-president Sharad Maheshwari, Rashtriya Lok Dal district president Shyam Singh, Apna Dal district president Ravi Saraswat and Mursan Block Pramukh Rameshwar Upadhyay expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister and the state government.

They referred to the 40 percent increase in the honorarium of village guards and the initiative to provide cashless medical facilities of up to five lakh rupees. They said village guards play an important role in maintaining peace and order in rural areas and in providing necessary information to the police.

On the occasion, Monika Gautam of the Women Welfare Department was also honoured under Mission Shakti.

Additional Superintendent of Police Ramanand Kushwaha, Circle Officers of Police, other officials, employees and a large number of village guards were present at the programme.