The director-general of Home Guard has taken serious note of the allegations of corruption levelled against two district commandants and has convened an all-stakeholder meeting on Monday to reach the root of the problem plaguing the auxiliary force.

"Corruption is a serious matter. I have already started an inquiry. Also, I have called my commandants from different parts of the state on Monday to discuss the issue before other administrative matters," DG Asha Sinha told The Telegraph on Friday, a day after 50-odd jawans blocked a busy Ranchi square for four hours demanding dismissal of their "dishonest" bosses.

The two Home Guard commandants in question are Ravi Kujur and Jagdish Singh. While Kujur is posted in Giridih with additional charge of Dhanbad, Chatra and Koderma districts, Singh is based in West Singhbhum but also leads the voluntary force in East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan.

DG Sinha, who had been quoted on Thursday saying she had sent relevant files on demands like freeze on fresh recruitment to the Home Guard headquarters in Delhi, emphasised that she was not biased against anyone.

"I have nothing against jawans who have levelled corruption charges against their commandants. But, there is a catch here. There is no provision for regular duty allotment to every jawan. By raising such issues, some of them may claim hike in remuneration from Rs 300 a day to Rs 500 or increasing the retirement age from 58 to 60. However, I have taken the allegations seriously and am determined to take action against anyone found involved in corrupt practices," she said.

State president of All India Home Guard Welfare Association Ravi Mukherjee had on Thursday contended that out of the around 29,000 jawans, only 9,000 were on duty, a reason why they did not want fresh blood in the force. "When we don't work, we aren't paid. In a year, we have work for three-four months and are paid a meagre salary of Rs 9,000 per month. To get work, we have to pay a bribe of Rs 4,000-5,000 to commandants," he had said.

On what she planned to do to stem this alleged bribe-for-duty practice, the DG said she was mulling computerised rosters and direct transfer of salary to bank accounts instead of the current system of payment through cheques. "I also plan a proper database of Home Guard jawans with photographs for greater transparency in deputation."

A commandant, unwilling to be named, confirmed receiving a faxed message from the DG's office. "The meeting is scheduled at 1pm on Monday. The issue of corruption tops the 16-point agenda. We have been asked to come prepared to discuss strategies to curb corruption in the force," he said.