Chandigarh, April 12: The Punjab government is reviewing its plan to deploy 5,000 home guards along the International Border with Pakistan, citing financial strain and exploring the possibility of assigning police constables instead.
A senior official in the state home department confirmed that the proposal to substitute home guards with police personnel will be taken up in upcoming government meetings. “We are looking at various options to ensure border security without putting a disproportionate burden on state finances,” the official said.
The initial plan to create a second line of defence, complementing the Border Security Force (BSF), was introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema had earmarked ₹110 crore in the 2025–26 budget for this initiative. “For the first time in Punjab’s history, the government will establish a second line of defence at the border by deploying 5,000 home guards alongside the BSF,” Cheema said while presenting the budget.
Cheema also raised concern about the ongoing drug crisis in Punjab, calling it the state’s most significant threat. “An entire generation of youth is being eaten hollow from within due to drugs,” he said. “The bulk of drugs coming to Punjab are smuggled from across the border and it is the primary responsibility of the Union government to halt cross-border smuggling of drugs and arms.”
Despite this commitment, the state is now reconsidering the use of home guards due to the steep financial obligations involved. Under existing norms, the Centre contributes only 25% of a home guard’s honorarium, while the remaining 75% falls on the state. The monthly cost to Punjab per home guard—including a 42% dearness allowance—is currently about ₹19,900.
In contrast, deploying regular police constables, who are already on the state payroll, may offer a more sustainable alternative. “The cost differential is substantial,” the official noted. “While home guards require fresh expenditure, constables are already drawing salaries, which makes this a more efficient model.”
The Union Home Ministry currently provides ₹45 per day as basic perks for each ‘border home guard’ under specific guidelines, which further limits central support for the initiative.
As discussions move forward, the government must weigh the financial relief against the operational implications of replacing home guards with police personnel along the sensitive border area.
