Banks lead queue to security corporation in the making

The fledgling Maharashtra State Security Corporation (MSSC) has already received requests from 20 banks asking it to take over security once functional. The chief of the agency believes banks will form one of its largest clientele groups.

"Security arrangement at banks need improvement, and certain basic precautionary steps are not taken. Banks will account for one of the largest chunks of my clients,and we are already getting a huge response. At a recent meeting more than 20 banks requested that the State Security Corporation provide security to their branches," said P K Jain, MSCC director.

"There are several advantages that attract banks towards us. Ours is a quasi-government body, and our guards will have powers to arrest people on the spot if indulging in illegal activities. They will also be trained and armed. An average private security guard would not use his weapon, even if the situation demands, for fear of losing his licence. Further, we will employ sons of the soil who are familiar with local demands, and whose antecedents would have been verified thoroughly," said Jain, a former banker who joined the Indian Police Service.

The MSCC, recently formed to provide security to industries and infrastructure projects, is yet to take full shape or begin recruitment of guards. The agency has finally been provided office space at Krupanidhi Building on Walchand Hirachand Marg in Ballard Estate. Names of prospective candidates at the Deputy Inspector General and Superintendent level are being put up before the state government by Jain, and recruitment of an initial batch of about 4,000 guards will begin after that. Rates for services are being worked out.

The MSCC will begin by hiring ex-army and police personnel. With 15,000 police constables being recruited yearly by the home department, police training schools across the state are currently not in a position to train fresh recruits for the MSCC until their load reduces.

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