While processes take time, technology evolves very quickly. By the time a government agency acquires a technology, it becomes redundant, Maj. Manjit Rajain
Security has always been one of the top concerns of organisations across the globe and in all sectors. Currently, the government looks after the security of almost all the public premises, especially in India, and sometimes of private organisations as well. However, no government has enough resources to safeguard its entire population. Therefore, it is necessary for government and private security agencies to work in close association with private agencies to cater to every possible client across the country.
“In India, we have a great advantage; this model of public-private association is already tried and tested in various countries. We can leverage that to pick what suits us,” says Maj. Manjit Rajain, Founder and Global Chairman, Tenon Group of Co, while speaking at the Outstanding Security Performance Awards 2023.
The CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) provides security to all the important government premises throughout the country, including, but not limited to, airports, metro stations, and government industries. For instance, over 1.6 lakh CISF personnel have been deployed across 65 airports across the country.
In the UK and Europe, private security personnel are deployed to guard ports, airports, prisons, and prisoner transfers. “In Canada, the largest employer of private security agencies is the Canadian Pacific Railway and the National Railways of Canada. Think of our railways and the opportunities there,” says Rajain.
He adds, “In Singapore, you will not find any government security personnel; it’s just a private agency, and they make money on it. It is completely technology-driven. In Australia, the coast guard is now privatising. In Germany and France, the nuclear plants have been handed over to private operators. In most of the European countries, the military compounds are being secured by private security companies.”
Last year, the government launched the ‘Agniveer’ scheme to cut down on costs on salaries and pensions. It further aims to use the larger pie of defence funds to acquire new-age equipment and weapons. “Nowadays, technology has become an integral part of security. For CISF to adapt any technology, it has to go through a government process. While processes take time, technology evolves very quickly. By the time a government agency acquires a technology, it becomes redundant. With this fast-paced, changing environment, can CISF do justice to it? You have to be one step ahead to defeat a crime,” Rajain highlights.
The government needs to articulate the process very transparently. The process of allowing a private security company to enter and work on government property must go smoothly. The approvals have to be smooth. The government has to do its fair share of work to create opportunities. An environment for trust and mutual respect has to be created.
Written by: Nitesh Kumar
