|
The Haryana government has not registered private security agencies under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Bill. As a result after June 23, 2006, all existing private security agencies will become deregistered, unless they’re specifically registered under this Act
In upcoming cities like Gurgaon where industrial and commercial investment has been significant, private security has become a must considering the fact that the state security agencies are too inadequate in terms of manpower, equipment, training, weapons systems intelligence, etc. to meet the challenges of the security. Though the very recent hoax bomb alert in MGF Mall and even when the Private Security Agencies (Regulations) Act, 2005 has been in operation, the state government has preferred to sleep rather than take steps that would make private security guards trained and efficient to face any eventuality.
"It is estimated that in the next five years, requirement of private security will increase to one crore security personnel which works out to be nine times the present strength of our Army. The private security industry today is operating in the most haphazard manner totally unregulated and suitable to meet the challenges. The manner in which most of the private security agencies function has become a matter of great concern. Many of these agencies conduct their operations without due care for verifying the antecedents of the personnel employed as private security guards and supervisors," pointed out Major General Satbir Singh, an expert on private security training and security analyst. In recent years, certain private multinational security agencies have also established their branches in the country which unless properly regulated may have serious security implications. In order to regulate the functioning of these private security agencies, the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Bill was introduced in the Parliament. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on May 10, 2005 and by the Lok Sabha on May 11, 2005 and received the President’s assent in June 2005.
Under this Act, all state governments were required by notifications to designate an officer not below the rank of a joint secretary in the home department or an equivalent officer to be the controlling authority for the purpose of this Act. Further, no person shall carry on or commence the business of private security agency, unless he holds a license issued under this Act. Any person already carrying out the business of private security agency was to make an application to obtain license under the Act within the period of one year. The state governments were also required to frame rules with regard to selection of personnel, educational qualification, training, physical standards, terms and conditions of service, pay, etc.
"It seems that no State Government particularly amongst the state of UP, Delhi, Haryana which are part of NCR has either designated the controlling authority or framed any rules under the Act. The period of one year will end on June 23, 2006, after which all existing private security agencies will deemed to have been deregistered unless registered under this Act. A very serious security situation will arise," pointed out Major General Singh. According to the provisions in the Act, the state governments are also required to designate and approve training institutions for imparting the designated training along with the syllabus and properly regulate the profession of private security industry. "The private security personnel are required to be highly skilled, capable of understanding and using the modem security equipments. Therefore, they are required to be employed in the category of skilled labour under the minimum wages Act and all other statutory obligations," says Singh.
by Dipak Kumar Dash Gurgaon Plus
|
