Will be given funds, specialised training so they can be more proactive during emergencies As the country celebrates 60 years of being a republic, the Civil Defence Pune Home Guards have reason to 
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On a high: The Civil Defence Pune Home Guards will undergo rigorous training and work in close proximity with the police force as part of the Disaster Management Team</td></tr></tbody></table>rejoice. They will undergo rigorous training, work in close proximity with the police force to gather information on terrorists and be a part of the Disaster Management Teamu00a0-- all thanks to an amendment of the Civil Defense Act, 1968, which the Parliament passed on December 22, 2009. Funds in place B N Raut, DGP, Maharashtra Civil Defense said the definition of 'civil defense' has been given additional responsibilities in the amendment. "The union home department has sanctioned Rs 91 lakh for specialised training for our volunteers. Intelligence gathering and disaster management are the two major issues which will be taught systematically," he said. The Civil Defense Home Guard office in Yerwada will now be modernised and shifted to Council Hall complex in Cantonment. It will also have a hi-tech control room for effective communication. Sanjeevan Joshi, additional controller, civil defense, Greater Mumbai, said Rs 1.5 crore has been allotted for the modernisation out of the Rs 15 crore allotted to the Maharashtra Civil Defense. Encouraging move This amendment has been accepted with a lot of enthusiasm and fervour. "The new change is really encouraging and we are planning to become more proactive to play key roles in national security and safety," said Anil Aware, senior assistant deputy controller, Pune Civil Defence. Referring to Union Home Minister A K Antony's warning of another possible terrorist attack, he said, "It will be a challenging duty for us to work with the cops." Aware feels that since Pune is close to Mumbai, there are higher chances of terror activities being active there. "Fortunately, all of us will get formal intelligence training at our Nagpur branch," he said. Did you know? The Pune Civil Defense is 70 years old and has a staff of 125 members and 12,000 volunteers. The Civil Defence flag hoisting will take place before the historic Shaniwar Wada at 6.45 am and parade at Shivajinagar Police Ground at 8 am today.

Will be given funds, specialised training so they can be more proactive during emergencies

Home guards to get a makeover

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Home guards to get a makeover

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