State Security Corporation to be operational on May 1

The State Security Corporation (SSC) is likely to go operational on May 1, 2011, after nearly one year since the Legislative Assembly passed a legislation to constitute the SSC, which will provide protection to public undertakings, vital financial, religious, educational, cultural, medical institutions and other important institutions in Maharashtra.

SSC will also provide security to malls, multiplexes, clubs, hotels as well as private ports, jetties, bridges, dams, expressways, special economic zones for a premium payment. Since the existing police force is not sufficient to cater to security requirements from various organisations, including private ones. Demand for such services has increased in the wake of the 26/ 11 terror attacks in Mumbai.

The decision to set up the specialised agency was taken after the Centre made it clear the Central Industrial Security force (CISF) will not be able to deploy its personnel all over the country and suggested that the state governments should consider having their own force.

Availability of the state security force will reduce the burden on CISF, which will be able to spare its personnel for deployment at more sensitive and strategic installations in the country. SSC was conceptualised on the lines of the Central Industrial Security Force, but due to certain issues the set up got slightly diluted.

Also resources crunch contributed in SSC not meeting the benchmark of displaying highsecurity cover skills set up by CISF. SSC's head P K Jain, who is of the rank of an Additional Director General of Police speaking to FPJ said that by April 1, 2011, SSC will advertise for recruitment of 2000 personnel.

The recruitment is open to ex- servicemen and former para- military and police officials. Also personnel from the state security guard board and home guards will qualify for recruitment to SSC. " On selecting the personnel they will be enrolled for a 2- week orientation course before they are sent into the field.

Gradually SSC will recruit personnel from nondefence and police background once the list of ex- servicemen is exhausted,” said Jain. These fresh recruits who don't have any defence or police background, will be trained for a period of one month and then put on the job. On account of a crunch in training facilities, there has been a delay in recruitment,” added Jain.