Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
The Haryana Government has issued an extensive and revised framework for presenting the Guard of Honour to dignitaries, ensuring uniformity and clarity across all state departments and police units.
The notification issued by CS Anurag Rastogi defines two broad categories of dignitaries entitled to receive the Guard of Honour. The first category includes those who are entitled under Government of India norms, namely the President of India, Vice-President of India, Prime Minister of India, Defence Minister and Deputy Ministers, Heads of Foreign and Commonwealth Missions, Heads of State or Governors-General of Commonwealth nations, and Prime Ministers or Foreign Ministers of foreign or Commonwealth countries. The Guard of Honour for these dignitaries will continue exactly as per Government of India guidelines issued from time to time.
The second category comprises dignitaries of Haryana State who will receive the Guard of Honour according to specific circumstances. This category includes the Governor of Haryana, the Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Cabinet Ministers, the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Ministers of State, Judges of the High Court (in their capacity as Administrative Judges for districts), the Chief Secretary, Administrative Secretaries of Home and Revenue & Disaster Management Departments, the Director General of Police, Divisional Commissioners, Range ADGPs, Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police, District Magistrates, and Superintendents of Police.
The Government has prescribed clear and uniform compositions for the Guard of Honour for each of these dignitaries. For the Governor of Haryana, the Guard of Honour will consist of 1 Gazetted Officer, 2 Non-Gazetted Officers, 4 Head Constables, and 100 Constables (1+2+4+100 personnel), accompanied by one band, on occasions such as assuming charge, relinquishing charge, the Governor’s address during the Assembly session, and other special occasions notified by the Government. During official visits not covered under these categories, the Guard of Honour will comprise 0 Gazetted Officers, 1 Non-Gazetted Officer, 2 Head Constables, and 10 Constables (0+1+2+10 personnel), accompanied by one bugler.
For the Chief Minister of Haryana, special or ceremonial occasions will be marked with a Guard of Honour consisting of 1 Gazetted Officer, 2 Non-Gazetted Officers, 4 Head Constables, and 50 Constables (1+2+4+50 personnel), with one band. For other official visits, the Guard of Honour will be composed of 0 Gazetted Officers, 1 Non-Gazetted Officer, 2 Head Constables, and 10 Constables (0+1+2+10 personnel), with one bugler.
The Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court will receive a Guard of Honour of 1 Gazetted Officer, 2 Non-Gazetted Officers, 4 Head Constables, and 32 Constables (1+2+4+32 personnel), with one band, during first-time visits and special or ceremonial occasions, while other official visits will be accorded 0 Gazetted Officers, 1 Non-Gazetted Officer, 2 Head Constables, and 10 Constables (0+1+2+10 personnel), accompanied by a bugler. The same composition applies to the Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly, Cabinet Ministers, the Deputy Speaker, Ministers of State, and High Court Judges when visiting districts under their administrative jurisdiction.
For the Chief Secretary, the Guard of Honour on assuming or relinquishing charge will consist of 1 Gazetted Officer, 2 Non-Gazetted Officers, 4 Head Constables, and 20 Constables (1+2+4+20 personnel), supported by one band, while other official visits will include 0 Gazetted Officers, 1 Non-Gazetted Officer, 2 Head Constables, and 10 Constables (0+1+2+10 personnel), along with a bugler. The same standard applies to the Administrative Secretaries of Home and Revenue & Disaster Management Departments, and the Director General of Police.
For Divisional Commissioners, Range ADGPs, Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police, the Guard of Honour will consist of 0 Gazetted Officers, 0 Non-Gazetted Officers, 1 Head Constable, and 10 Constables (0+0+1+10 personnel), with one band, during assumption or relinquishing of charge or during formal inspections and ceremonial visits to police establishments. On smaller official occasions, the composition will be limited to 0 Gazetted Officers, 0 Non-Gazetted Officers, 1 Head Constable, and 4 Constables (0+0+1+4 personnel), with a bugler.
For the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, the Guard of Honour shall be presented on two occasions: upon arrival to assume charge for the first time, and upon relinquishing charge. The composition of the Guard of Honour for the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police has been fixed as 0 Gazetted Officers, 0 Non-Gazetted Officers, 1 Head Constable, and 4 Constables (0+0+1+4 personnel), accompanied by one bugler.
The Government has further clarified that formal arrangements regarding formation, uniform, dress code, and ceremonial procedures will be issued separately by the Director General of Police after approval from the Home Department. All departments and authorities have been instructed to ensure strict adherence to the new guidelines and to obtain necessary approvals from the General Administration Department (Protocol Branch) in case any relaxation is required.
The government explained that the decision was taken to bring consistency in ceremonial practices across Haryana, particularly during assumption or relinquishing of charge by top officials, formal inspections, official visits, and state-level ceremonial events. The circular directs all departments to strictly follow the newly prescribed norms and to seek prior approval from the General Administration Department (Protocol Branch) if any deviation or relaxation is required.