Infosys to get CISF cover soon
IT major Infosys will soon become the first private sector company to get security cover from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the premier government force which guards public sector units in the country.
According to sources, the Union Home Ministry has given its approval to deploy CISF personnel on the Infosys campus in Bangalore. “Infosys will bear all the expenditure for the deployment of the government forces,” sources told Deccan Herald.
The Infosys management confirmed that the CISF would soon take over the security responsibilities of the Bangalore campus but did not spell out the time frame for their deployment citing “security reasons.” Private security would continue on the company premises even after the entry of the CISF, they said. “Infosys continues to undertake strict security measures to ensure the safety of employees, including the identification of all personnel on the campus, monitoring movement of visitors, limited vehicle entry, restricted goods movement and restricted access to sensitive areas,” sources said.
There are as many as 71 private companies in the country awaiting approval from the Union Home Ministry for deploying the CISF on their premises. Asked whether the government would bear a part of the expenditure for the deployment of the CISF personnel, sources in the ministry replied in the negative. It is learnt that the government would seek full reimbursement for the expenses incurred from the company concerned.
It was the Mumbai terror strikes last year that prompted key private sector companies to rush for government security cover and sent in their requests for the CISF deployment. The compelling demand from the corporate sector led the Centre to introduce an amendment in the CISF Act to bring private companies under its net.
The Home Ministry has identified 57 “sensitive”companies requiring CISF protection. Infosys has been reportedly under the shadow of jihadi threats.
Sources said Wipro is also expected to be brought under the CISF security net within a few months.
Reliance-owned Jamnagar oil refinery in Saurashtra, Gujarat, the sixth largest refinery in Asia, and Essar oil refinery are next in line.
Some of the prominent hotels, including the Tata-owned Taj Mahal in Mumbai, could also be protected by the CISF at a later stage.
