Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has directed that Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) benefits be implemented for state Home Guard personnel within eight weeks. The directive came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) demanding EPF coverage for these personnel.
Court Hearing on PIL
The PIL was filed by Pankaj Barnwal, and the matter was heard by a division bench of Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Rajesh Shankar. Advocate Aparajita Bhardwaj represented the petitioners and argued for the rights of Home Guard personnel. The court has scheduled the next hearing in the case for October 6.
Background of the Case
The demand for EPF benefits for Home Guard personnel has been pending for long, as they perform essential security and emergency duties across the state but lack social security measures. The court’s order marks a significant step toward ensuring financial protection and welfare for these personnel.