Although government has deployed home guards for the protection of historical Makkah Masjid, but their salary is paid by the Minorities Welfare Department. Due to non-issuance of 4th Quarter Budget of the fiscal year 2012-13, the home guards performing their duty at Makkah Masjid are deprived of the salary for the month of March. If the government does not release the last quarter budget the home guards may be deprived of the salary for further two months.
Following Makkah Masjid blast, police posted 24 home guards for the protection and security of the Masjid. Presently 17 home guards are performing duty in two or three shifts. Initially they were paid Rs. 4000 which was further increased to Rs. 6700 and their salary is paid by the Minorities’ Welfare Department though it should have been paid by the police department to which they belong. Minority Welfare Department has to part with nearly Rs. 18 lakh towards the salary of the 24 home guards posted at Makkah Masjid by the police department from the annual grant for Makkah Masjid and Shahi Masjid.
Siasat news