The Jammu & Kashmir Government’s Home Department on August 14 accorded official sanction for the creation of Village Defence Guards Scheme (VDGS)-2022, in an attempt to “inculcate an attitude of self-protection in security matters amongst the local population and to uphold the sovereignty and integrity of the nation”, reports Kashmir Observer. In an order, a copy of which lies with Kashmir Observer, UT Administration’s Financial Commissioner Raj Kumar Goyal sanctioned the creation of VDGS-2022. “In pursuance of the approval conveyed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India vide referred communication and in supersession of the Government Order No.Home-293 of 1995, dated 30.09.1995, sanction is hereby accorded to the creation of the Village Defence Guards Scheme (VDGS)-2022, as per the details, forming annexure to this Order. The Scheme shall come into operation w.e.f. 15′ August, 2022 and shall have prospective effect,” reads the order.