Home Guards proposal to increase strength to 20,000

Coimbatore, Feb 3 (PTI) A proposal to increase the strengthof Home Guards to 20,000 had been sent to the government, T KDhanashekar, Area Commander, Coimbatore, said today.

With more ''call outs'' (callng for duty) were expected,particularly during the elections, natural calamity and tomaintain law and order situation, the increase in number fromthe present 11,500, was necessary and the proposal was withthe Government for approval, Dhanashekar told reporters here.

The number of women home guards, now 2,500, would also beincreased proportionately, he said.

On call out allowance, Dhanashekar said the proposal alsosuggested increasing it reasonably. It was expected to behiked to Rs.100 from the present Rs.65.

It was mandatory for the Home Huards to attend a minimumfour call outs and many guards voluntarily come forward to doit more more than eight times, not for money but to serve thenation, he said.