Maharashtra Government is planning to set up a special state security force on the lines of the CISF following a demand from various organisations after the Mumbai terror attacks.
“A bill on the issue was drafted after the Centre’s suggestion to the State Government to consider raising the state’s own industrial security force to share the burden of CISF and ensure proper security arrangements for private and public sector industries,” Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe said.
The bill is likely to come for discussion in the Legislative Assembly this week, he said. The Centre has amended CISF Act 1968, so as to make available security services to private and joint venture industrial undertakings. The bill would enable the State Government to have its own force, as the police force is not sufficient to meet the demand.
The Government would give training to members of the security force and they would also deal with threats from terrorist organisations, anti-social elements and underworld elements, the minister said.
The security personnel would also have powers like police to arrest a person involved in anti-social activities, he added.
The force would be set up under Maharashtra State Special Security Corporation and provide better protection to vital installations, financial institutions, religious places, commercial establishments including malls, multiplexes, clubs and hotels, the minister said.
The Corporation would provide security personnel and manpower by giving professional services, he said.
