'Action plan for additional fire service stations ready'

No dearth of funds for the Home Guards Department, claims DGP

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of the inauguration of District Home Guards training centre in Madikeri on Monday, he said “there was no shortage of funds for the department of fire service, home guards. We are getting lot of funds through various programmes. It has been decided to set up fire service stations wherever land is available.”

State’s 169th fire service station was set up at Somwarpet. Another 25 fire service stations will be set up by the end of the year.

The work on few fire service stations are under progress, he informed. “Home Guards do not have own buildings in several parts of the state. Hence, many youth are not coming forward to join Home Guards. At present, the service of Home Guards are being used in excise and transport department. We have also written letter to Deputy Commissioners to utilise the service of Home Guards in DC’s office, District hospitals instead of recruiting private security guards, to which we have received positive response from the Deputy Commissioners.”

Civil Defence unit

A letter has been written to all the Deputy Commissioners to set up civil defence unit in all the districts to cope with the natural disasters.

The state government has given its nod for the setting up of civil defence unit at Bangalore, Kaiga and Raichur thermal power units. “The unit can be set up with the help of the citizens. The citizens have to voluntarily serve in the unit. No allowance will be paid,” he clarified.

Appeal

Zilla Panchayat President Shantheyanda Ravikushalappa said there is a need to set up a fire service station at Napoklu. With the setting up of fire service station at Napoklu, the people of Bhagamandala, Sampaje and Karike will be benefited.

Deputy Commissioner K H Ashwathanarayana Gowda, Major (retd) B A Nanjappa also spoke.