Odisha govt hikes allowances of civil defence volunteers, duty-call up allowance of home guards

In a major step towards recognising the contributions of frontline personnel, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday approved an increment in the daily duty call-up allowance for Home Guards across the state. 

As per the decision, the allowance has been raised from Rs 612 to Rs 623, effective retrospectively from January 1, 2025.

Announcing the move, the Chief Minister emphasized the state’s commitment to improving the working conditions and welfare of those who support law enforcement and emergency services. The Home Guards, who often serve during emergencies, crowd control, and disaster response operations, will now receive better compensation for their dedicated service.

Allowance Hike for Civil Defence Volunteers

Alongside Home Guards, the government has also hiked allowances for Civil Defence Volunteers, whose role has become increasingly vital in managing crises and natural calamities.

What the New Order Says:

The daily duty allowance for Civil Defence Volunteers has been increased significantly from Rs 31 to Rs 150. Their daily training allowance has also gone up from Rs 28 to Rs 140. These enhanced rates will be applicable retrospectively from May 1, 2025.

Government’s Long-Term Vision

Odisha currently has fewer than 700 active Civil Defence Volunteers. With these new incentives in place, CM Majhi expressed hope that the number of volunteers will grow, strengthening the state’s emergency preparedness network.

The revised compensation structure reflects the Odisha government 's recognition of the risks and responsibilities undertaken by these personnel. It also aims to motivate more youth to enroll as Civil Defence Volunteers and contribute to the state’s disaster response and internal security efforts.