Dinesh Kamath's news item 'Arms licences for housing societies in the city' that was published in Newsband

Arms licences for housing societies in the city

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: In the past, the private security agencies would provide armed guards to banks, housing societies and malls. But ever since the police started taking action against guards without proper licenses or those in possession of illegal licences, these agencies withdrew their armed guards. However, there is a good news for these banks, housing societies and malls. They will soon get arms licences on their own.

There are many armed guards in Navi Mumbai. But it is not known as to how many of them are in possession of licenses.

A state government official informed that licenses will now be issued directly to the organizations which are in need of armed guards. Even Home Minister R R Patil came up with his decision to issue such licenses when one of the legislators complained about the rise in the number of security guards with illegal arms licenses.

Considering the fact that there is a huge demand for private armed guards, the government has come up with this new policy.

It was also found that most agencies were hiring guards who have licences from other states, issued to them for self-defence, and which they were using for commercial purposes. Patil called for a review of all licences issued to private security agencies, and cancellation of those licences which are being used illegally.

The guards at factories, malls, banks and other commercial establishments are appointed by Maharashtra Private Security Guard Board which comes under state government. They have no power to provide guards to the housing societies.

Some legislators were of the opinion that there should be some control over the security agencies which provide guards to housing societies. They badly need to be monitored, they said. They also said the just rules and regulations are not enough to solve this problem but there should be some fixed monitoring mechanism. 

A guard cannot get employed in the state without the approval of the state government but the agencies can function as per certain provisions laid down by the government. These provisions also enable them to obtain licences for guards.