Can private security agencies help in national security and disaster management, specifically deal with terror threats in urban centres? Apparently yes, if security experts are to be believed.
In the light of terrorist activities increasing the world over, it is vital that the existing workforce of private security agencies in the City is provided intelligence training by the State Government so that they can aid national security and disaster management, experts told mediapersons in Bangalore on Friday.
Secretary General of the Central Association of Private Security Industry (Capsi) and Association of Private Detectives of India (APDI) Captain Ravee said, “It is upto the government to gainfully utilise us in the interest of the nation. This can be done if the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSAR) 2005 is introduced in the State as has been done in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and West Bengal.”
Quality and professionalism will enter the industry when this Act comes into force, he added. Under the Act those employed in security services will be put through a 21-day programme which involves indoor and outdoor training. The PSAR will also result in regulated competition.
 There are around 10,000 private security companies in the country with 80 per cent in the unorganised sector and the remainder in the hands of a few big organised ones. Right now, they come under the Shops and Establishments Act and so anyone can easily get permission to start a security company. If the PSAR comes into force, only those those adequately qualified will be given a licence by the government and many fly-by-night operators will cease to exist.
Big business
The private security industry is a Rs 21,000-crore business now with 50 lakh people, a tremendous strength at disposal whenever disaster strikes, Ravee said. There are more people in the industry than the Army, Navy, Police and Air Force put together, he added. Women constitute between eight and 10 per cent of the workforce. The private security industry has the potential to create five lakh jobs annually.
Ravee also spoke of increasing payments for security persons. “This employee is actually the most important person in any concern and is responsible for the protection of equipment worth crores belonging to the company. He should ideally be paid between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 and not a sum below Rs 4,000 as is the case presently.”
Viswanath V Katti, chairman of the Karnataka chapter of Capsi, conceded that many security personnel doze off during night hours. “The need to put in a 12-hour shift daily and the necessity to keep awake during night goes against the human biological clock,” he said and hastened to add that he did not justify it. One way of ensuring that they do not fall asleep is to instal alarm systems as well as give them some patrolling duty.