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25 Nov–1 Dec 2011
A Guarded Life Contd from p 1 states of the world, have also contributed towards the inception and rise in this business. “Gurgaon is full of MNCs; and these companies—especially American—are very conscious about security. The terrorist attack in Mumbai, on 26 November 2008, heightened concerns. Malls in Gurgaon also draw lakhs of people daily; and to maintain a secure environment in the presence of so many people is indeed a tough task. People often say security is just an illusion; but it takes thousands of security guards to create this so-called illusion,” added Vishal. Commercial is not the only sector most concerned about security; the residential sector too has these private security guards in large number. Gurgaon has more condominiums then any other city in the NCR; and that makes it further vulnerable to any mishap. “Gurgaon has around 60 apartment complexes; and almost each of them have hired around 50 guards from different agencies of the city. “This city hungers for security; and people have kept guards in plotted houses too, to secure their family and fortune. However, these guards still have not won the confidence of the masses, and the credibility of the state police,” said Major (retd) T.C. Rao, the founder of Skylark security agency, that is providing its services in 20 states of the country.
From where do they come?
“Most of the guards come form UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. Some have started coming from the prosperous states like Punjab as well. This sector provides great employment opportunities to the unskilled labour of the country. We provide them training, and then they guard the city,” said Imtiaz Khan, the CEO of Vigil 24X7, a private security agency. Asked about the people from Haryana in this profession, Khan said, “In security business, the people of Haryana are considered to be the best— because of the physical leverage they have over others. However, the locals don’t want to work as security guards as the pay is just Rupees 7-8 thousand per month. They instead work as Private Security Officers (PSOs), or bouncers in clubs and bars.”
Are they capable?
Wherever we go in the city, we get to see a middle-aged man (most of the times), in a uni-
form, and with a small wooden stick (sometimes empty-handed) at the gate of a building. Is it enough to give one a sense of security? Well, if not fully, then to some extent indeed. “Yes, these guards definitely provide a sense of security. They monitor the entry of the people in the apartments, and this certainly gives a sense of security and satisfaction—that somebody is there at the gates, to guard our well being,” said Narender Malik, a resident of the Power Grid apartments in Sector-46. “People living in plotted houses also have kept these guards for security, but the level of trust they have in these guards is not that high. “Over all security is not that bad here, as we see guards at all major points; but sometimes even one incident of theft and snatching is enough to make us feel insecure. Many times, we have found that the guard himself is involved in the incident of theft or burglary,” said Jagdish Kaul, a resident of DLF Phase-1. Apart from apartments, these guards give their services to malls and other commercial and industrial establishments. “These guards are the backbone of the security of commercial establishments. Gurgaon has a huge number of malls and MNCs, and these guards provide them a safe environment to work. On an average, a footfall of 30 to 35 thousand people daily takes place in a mall (especially on weekends); and to control and monitor such a huge population is a daunting task These guard ensure the safety of the mall, along with the safety of the visitors. Indeed Gurgaon banks upon them for a safer environment,” said a security incharge of a famous mall on MG Road. The capability of a guard in curbing any type of unfortunate incident has often been questioned; and this is one of the reasons why the masses are quite apprehensive about having a security guard. “Most of the guards are above forty or around fifty (years of age). If something happens, I don’t think they will be able to do anything. Security requires young men with good physique, to take on burglars,” said Sadhna Singla, a middle aged woman. This trust deficit not only signifies their apparent incapability to perform or deliver the desired security; but also their unwillingness to do their duty properly. “A few days back an inverter was stolen from my neighbour’s house. Our locality has enough guards; but still incidents of theft and snatching happen often,” said Rajesh Jain,
List of agencies operating in Haryana (Licence holding) ♦ QRT 24 X 7Security Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Golden Ray Services ♦ CIS Bureaus Facility ♦ CISS & Security Services ♦ Reliable Guards & Allied ♦ S.D.S. Security Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Virat Security & Manpower Supply Agency ♦ Paramvir Security Services Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Jugal Security Services. ♦ ARC Security Solutions Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Frankfinn Aviation Services Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Longia Security Cover ♦ Rest Assured Services, ♦ Sentinels Security ♦ S.S. Security
♦ Jupiter Administrative Security Services Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Proman Security tech. Pvt. Ltd., ♦ Shree Balaji Security Services ♦ New Generation Security ♦ Secure Services Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Zoi Multi Speciality Security Services. ♦ Skylark Securitas Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Eagle Eye Security ♦ Gaze Infinite Security of India Pvt.Ltd. ♦ G.I Group Network Security ♦ Lion Manpower Solutions Pvt. Ltd. ♦ Sh. Ravi Kapur Absolutes Security Services ♦ Sh. Sanjeev Paul Scientific Security Management Services
Unorganised sector
“This sector is highly unorganised, and there are hardly any rules for recruiting a security guard. In the police, there are certain rules to recruit a constable— such as education, physical fitness—and of course age. The private agencies recruit anyone—be it a sixty year old man, or an 18 year old illiterate boy. That is the main reason why they have not been able to win the trust of the people. Every human being needs proper education, skill and training—for providing any service to the masses,” said Major (retd) T.C. Rao, the founder of Skylark security agency. “Many security agencies in the city, or elsewhere in the country, don’t care if they recruit any untrained or illiterate men. They don’t even verify them. This is a lucrative business, with no rules and direction—a potential security issue!,” added Rao.
Private Security Agencies Regulation Act 2005: a great respite
“Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA) was passed by the Parliament of India in 2005. I made its syllabus, after the Home Secretary asked me to do so. According to this Act, every agency dealing in the business of providing private security guards needs to have a licence. They need to give the men training for 15 days, before sending them on duty. The training not only includes the basics of being a guard, but also training guards in the field of technology—such as managing the CCTV camera, and other electrical gadgets. A guard should have an education till matriculation, and posses good physical and mental condition. A full verification of the guard should also be carried out by the agency, with the help of the police, before recruiting him for the job,” says Rao. Acts and regulation often remain in the confines of drawers in this country; and this Act is no different. “Only 10 per cent of the agencies follow the code of conduct of this Act; because nobody President of the Oriental Villas Resident Welfare Association in Sushant Lok Phase-3. B.S. Parmar, the security manager of Ansal’s housings, did not buy this theory. “We have a total of 160 guards hired from different agencies. We always keep them on alert; and I think they are doing their job well. Yes, instances have happened—but that doesn’t mean that the company is not serious for the security of the residents,” said Parmar.
Dependence
Gurgaon is no more a small town adjacent to Delhi. Now the city has a population of around 20 lakh people; and such a huge population needs a much larger police force (than now), to ensure a secure environment. But the city has only a few thousand policemen (3000 approx.); which means that there is one policeman for over 500 people. Delhi has a strength of 83,000 approx. policemen and its population is, according to the 2011 Census, 1,90,00000. (1 policeman for 228 people on an average) This would have led to serious repercussions, were it not
THE WEEK THAT WAS ♦ HUDA, personally led by the Administrator Dr. Praveen Kumar, undertook demolition of unauthorised structures in Sikanderpur;other locations too on list. MCG followed up with demolition in Nathupur. ♦ DHBVN suspended 11 officials, including senior officers, on finding a nexus between them and contractors. ♦ Youth Against Corruption (YAC) movement, Bharat Sankalp Yatra, held concluding rally at Gurgaon. ♦ 2 cars were stolen at gunpoint, from a hotel parking lot in Sector 29; A parking attendant was taken hostage, but he managed to escape. ♦ Hayatpur sarpanch murder case solved. Accused held; sizeable weapons and ammunition seized. ♦ Hero Honda Chowk was flooded again;
C ivic/Social The Inside Story wants to waste time in providing training etc. They straight away put them on the job—making them less effective in preventing thefts, and other unfortunate incidents,” added Rao. Gurgaon has a total of 76 agencies; but only 28 have the licence to provide guards. According to the new rule, any agency who has applied for the licence can start operations; but if it doesn’t get the licence (within 3 months), it will have to stop its services.
Bouncers and PSOs
Apart from 30 plus thousand security guards, the city has over 2000 bouncers and Private Security Officers (PSOs). “Apart from guards, we also provide PSOs and bouncers. They certainly cost more money. We pay around Rs. 17 to 18 thousand to each. The bouncers help maintain a secure environment in the bars and pubs of the city,” informed Vishal. Both PSOs and bouncers certain carry more responsibility on their shoulders, as compared to a normal security guard; but most of them enjoy their job. “Here, we are responsible for the peaceful environment in the bar. People often say that the job of a bouncer is not good; but we also play an important role in safeguarding people’s lives,” said Kush Kumar, a bouncer at one of the citiy’s famous bars.
How technology helps
“We have security guards who are expert in handling the modern technologies used in big residential and commercial buildings—like CCTV, ACS etc. Technologies certainly helps maintain a secure environment; and despite all the arrangements, if something unfortunate happens, it is of great help in nabbing the culprits. Other technical equipment we provide to our guards are metal detectors, and undervehicle search mirrors,” informed Vishal.
for the private security guards. “Of course, they have helped in maintaining the security of the people,” added Bharti Arora.
The plight of the guards
and their belongings—but we too are humans, and can’t guard them beyond a point. We always try our best; but if someone has a weapon, we try to keep a distance and not aggravate the matter. After all we too have families behind us,” said a guard in DLF Phase-1 market, on the condition of anonymity. “Numbers are of no use. If something happens we can’t stop it by having one small wooden stick in hand. We are nothing more than a show piece, to give an illusion of security to the people,” said Sanjay Kumar, a guard working in one of the malls on MG Road.
“Six months ago I came here in search of a job. I am just a matriculate, and can barely read an English newspaper. I got this job of a security guard; but I just get Rs. 6,500. This is nothing, if we factor in the inflation, and the cost of living in a city like Gurgaon. Sometimes I think of going back to my home in Bihar,” said Sujeet Kumar, who works as a guard in a commercial building on Sohna Road. Sujeet Kumar is not wrong, when he feels ‘underpaid’. According to the Private Security Agencies Regulation Act (PSARA), a guard should get at least get Rs. 8,000 as salary— a rule that is seldom followed by any of the agencies. “Many small agencies don’t pay the guards well. A guard should get at least Rs. 8,000 for standing 12 hours daily on the job—but most of the guards merely receive Rs. 6 to 7 thousand only,” informed Rao. “Our salary is low, and the agency owners don’t treat us well. People expect us to guard them
“ The Security business is on a high; and cities like Gurgaon further take it to a new destination, because security is a basic Maslow necessity. In India, over 50 lakh people have made it their source of earning; and this number is bound to rise to over 1 crore people, in the coming three-four years. In Gurgaon, the security business is worth Rs. 300 plus crore annually; and it is rising at a rapid pace,” sai Swara. u
this time due to a pipeline burst. HUDA and a local college lay blame on each other. ♦ Haryana Public Health Minister Kiran Choudhary announced the approval of 3 Projects, amounting to about Rs. 110 crores, for improvement of water supply and sewerage facilities in Gurgaon District - specifically for Farrukh Nagar and Pataudi; this was approved by the NCR Planning Board. ♦ Haryana Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal inaugurated the 40th Annual Conference of Council of Boards School Education (COBSE); the aim of the current Continuous and Comprehensive Education (CCE) system is the all-round development of children. ♦ An anti-Sirhol Toll Plaza movement, by local people, is taking shape - to ask for closure of the Toll Plaza. ♦ A total of 10 exclusive mega parking centres have been identified across Gurgaon. Work on 3 will progress shortly; they will be built on a minimum of 1 acre of land - and will be able to handle car parking from hundreds to thousands.
♦ Socio-economic Census 2011 is under way. ♦ A Rock Show was held at HUDA Gymkhana Club. An American band, Solar Punch performed - accompanied by Parikrama; the show was to promote conservation of energy; all the instruments of the band run on solar energy. ♦ The Third Festival of the Arts and Culture was held at HUDA Open Air Theatre, Sector 29, over 4 days. It was organized under the auspices of the Haryana Govt., Sangeet Natak Akademi, ICCR, and Ram Niwas Mirdha Foundation. Haryanvi folk artists, dancers and singers; as well as those from Rajasthan, enthralled the citizens, especially the youth; A memorable performance was of Satyawan-Savitri, a historical (saang) play. The festival marks the 150th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. ♦ Industrial units in Udyog Vihars, and in Sectors 18 to 20, may not have to pay EDC. ♦ Fog has started early this year.
A lucrative business