Dharamshala, June 25 -- For the first time after 2015, Himachal Pradesh government has initiated the process to recruit 700 home guards in the home guards and civil defence department.

A spokesman of the state government said that in the recent Cabinet meeting, the government has given its nod to fill up these posts. He said that for the last few years, no recruitment of home guards has taken place and the prolonged halt in recruitment has not only led to a significant manpower shortage but also hampered the department's ability to respond effectively to deployment requests. Therefore, the recruitments was needed.

The spokesperson said that the total strength of home guards volunteers is 8,000. Due to the their shortage, the department ...