(1) The State Government shall constitute a volunteer body called the “Home Guards”, the members of which shall discharge such functions and duties in relation to the protection of persons, the security of property and the preservation of public order or tranquility, as may be assigned to them in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.
(2) 1[The State Government may from the list of eligible persons sent by the Committee under sub-section (2B)]1 appoint as many Commandants as it may consider necessary for the proper governance and conduct of the Home Guards and shall specify the areas over which each such Commandant shall have jurisdiction.
1. Substituted by Act 19 of 2003 w.e.f. 22.04.2003.
Home Guards [1962: KAR. ACT 35 814 1[(2A) There shall be a Committee consisting of the following members for selecting persons possessing prescribed qualification to be appointed as Commandants under sub-section (2), namely:- 3[(a) The Principal Secretary (PCAS)/ Secretary(PCAS) to Government, Home Department - Chairman
(b) Director General of Police and Commandant General, Home Guards and Director, Civil Defence - Member
(c) Inspector General of Police and Additional Commandant General, Home Guards and Additional Director, Civil Defence - Member
(d) Deputy Commandant General, Home Guards and Deputy Director, Civil Defence -Member Secretary]3 (2B) The Committee referred to in sub-section (2A) shall after following such procedure as may be prescribed prepare a list of eligible persons to be appointed as commandants under sub-section (2) and send the list of such eligible persons to the State Government.
2[(2C) subject to the pleasure of the State Government the term of office of the commandant shall ordinarily be for five years and it may be extended for a further period of two terms of five years each.
Provided that no person shall be eligible for appointment as commandant or shall hold such office on his attaining the age of sixty years.]2 (2D) The terms and conditions of appointment of the Commandants shall be such as may be prescribed.]1
1. Inserted by Act 19 of 2003 w.e.f. 22.04.2003
2. Substituted by Act 20 of 2011 w.e.f. 06.04.2011.
3. Substituted by Act 30 of 2014 w.e.f. 05.09.2014.
(3) The State Government shall appoint a Commandant General of the Home Guards in whom shall vest the general supervision and control of all the Home Guards in the State,