Odisha govt approves 2,500 new Home Guard posts; total strength reaches 20,175

In a significant administrative move aimed at strengthening grassroots policing and enhancing internal security, the Odisha government on Tuesday announced the creation of 2,500 new Home Guard posts across the state. 

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi gave his formal nod to the proposal today, reaffirming the government's commitment to modernizing the state’s law enforcement infrastructure.

Total Home Guard Strength Now:

With this addition, the total sanctioned strength of Home Guards in Odisha has now gone up from 17,675 to 20,175. The decision comes at a crucial time when the need for increased manpower in the police support system is being felt across districts due to rising demands in managing law and order, traffic regulation, and disaster response.

Role of Home Guards:

Home Guards function as an essential auxiliary force to the regular police, assisting in a variety of tasks including community policing, crowd control during festivals and protests, traffic management, and emergency relief during natural disasters. Their expanded presence is expected to significantly reduce the burden on frontline police officers and improve efficiency in the delivery of public safety services.

This development is also part of a broader roadmap announced earlier by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, wherein he promised the creation of nearly 12,000 new posts in different branches of the Odisha Police Department. The Home Guards’ expansion is seen as the first phase of that larger plan to strengthen the state’s internal security network and ensure prompt and effective policing even in remote and vulnerable regions.

When Will Recruitment Process Begin?

Officials from the Home Department have confirmed that recruitment processes for the new posts will begin soon, and the newly appointed Home Guards will be given proper training and equipped with necessary tools and resources. The government is also expected to allocate adequate funds to facilitate infrastructure and operational readiness for these personnel.

The move has been welcomed by police officials and administrative authorities, who believe this will enhance the overall responsiveness of the law enforcement system, especially in areas with increasing population density and social activity. Moreover, it is likely to open up employment opportunities for youth across Odisha, adding to the socio-economic benefits of the initiative.

Security analysts and former law enforcement officers have praised the decision, calling it a forward-thinking step towards proactive governance and community-based policing. As Odisha continues to urbanize and witness growing public engagements, such steps are being seen as timely and necessary to maintain peace, public safety, and orderly development.