Written by Mandeep Singh Bajwa

There’s a lot to be said for military discipline, organisation and spirit de corps. The resultant dedication, devotion to duty and camaraderie stays even when out of uniform. If channelised properly it can pay rich dividends. The Guardians of Governance (GOG) programme was started by the Punjab Govt in 2017 to act as the eyes and ears of the Chief Minister and monitor development works and issues of administration in the rural areas. A total of 4,300 ex-servicemen were appointed as ‘Guardians’ covering the state’s 12,700 villages. They send in their reports through a well-oiled system using the latest information technology.

A TIRELESS GENERAL  WHO IS ALWAYS RESTLESS TO ACTIVATE GOG’s ALL THE TIMES.

Lt Gen TS Shergill AVSM Senior Advisor to the CM Punjab and Sr Vice Chairman Gurdian of Goverance (GOG)., who has toured in short span of time  20 districts, 8 of them twice, meeting DCs, SSPs and my GOG(4300) who are in the field on Covid and harvest duties. and is likely to  complete all districts and start all over again. A great Motivator on ground with personal example .—

The programme as a force of disciplined, well-organised force has really come into its own as the State Govt’s response body to the current pandemic. It speaks volumes for the GOGs’ dedication that they’re all in the field handling various duties. All elderly men, their devotion to duty is exemplary. This even as policemen over 55 years of age have been withdrawn from frontline duty.

 Guardians of Governance distributing rations to the needy as part of the govt’d relief programme.

Some of the duties undertaken by them are reporting Covid cases, including linking with visitors from abroad, distribution of rations, management of migrant labour, various surveys and data-mapping and reporting the impact on essential services. In addition, various kinds of monitoring have been done by GOGs, including operations of combine harvesters. In the initial period of lockdown distribution of medicines was also their responsibility.

The dedicated cadres have enforced social distancing norms at many places including rural banks. Their service in ensuring proper marketing of the all-important wheat crop has been of the highest order. Not only have they maintained social distancing in procurement centres, with their natural military tendency to ensure justice and even-handedness, they have also been of great help to farmers. I was pleased to read a recent news report about a GOG intervening to prevent a farmer being short-changed in Sardulgarh Tehsil.

 General TS Shergill, Senior Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister motivating GOGs on a tour of a Punjab district.

GOG Control rooms function round the clock at Chandigarh and all district and Tehsil headquarters. Their own leadership has been of the highest order. Lt General TS Shergill (retd), Senior Adviser to the Chief Minister who oversees the programme has constantly been on the move touring the state and motivating his men. The GOGs’ services will not be forgotten in a hurry say administrators.