The Hindu : National : Private security agencies Bill introduced

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Wednesday, May 11, 2005

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National

Private security agencies Bill introduced

Special Correspondent

A person convicted by a court with punishment of at least two-year imprisonment will not be eligible for issue of licence under the proposed Act.

NEW DELHI: To regulate the functioning of private security agencies which have mushroomed in the recent years, the Government on Tuesday introduced legislation in the Rajya Sabha to make licence mandatory for operating such security agencies.

Piloting the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2005, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said a salient feature of the legislation was that no person would be allowed to carry on the business of private security agency without a licence issued by the controlling authority. State Governments would designate an officer of the level of Joint Secretary in the Home Department as the controlling authority for issuing licences that would be valid for five years and would be renewable. An application for the grant of licence would be considered from a person after due verification of his antecedents.

The agencies could provide guards with or without arms as well as armoured car service for security of movement of bank cash and other valuables, he said. Any existing private security agencies, operating before the beginning of the Act, could also obtain licence and ensure required training to its security guards and supervisor within one year.

Mr. Patil said a person who had been convicted by a court with punishment of at least two-year imprisonment would not be eligible for issue of licence under the proposed Act.

Any person having links with any organisation which was banned under any law or pose threat to national security or public order would also not be considered for licence.

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