According to highly-placed sources, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles Home portfolio, has already given the go-ahead to the draft on Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act (MPISA), which was prepared by the department after thorough deliberations in the last 13 months.
What are the roles to be played by state's multiple agencies in times of a crisis situation? A new internal security Act, envisaged by the state's police department, is expected to put this in black and white, thereby bridging the gap and plugging loopholes in the existing security arrangements. Once enacted, Maharashtra will be the first state in the country to have its own internal security Act.
According to highly-placed sources, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also handles Home portfolio, has already given the go-ahead to the draft on Maharashtra Protection of Internal Security Act (MPISA), which was prepared by the department after thorough deliberations in the last 13 months. "Through this Act we will be aiming to eliminate the existing loopholes in the present system. It will deal with serious offences. In future, in case of a terror attack, the accused would also be booked under the MPISA," said a senior government official on condition of anonymity.
The draft covers various aspects including security of government and non-government establishments, coastal security, security audits, and target hardening,
"The department has already presented the 50-page draft before the state government. The CM has already been briefed and he is looking forward to get the Bill enacted. Also, the Home department is keen on successful implementation of this Act and has listed it under its 'key result area'," said the official.
According to him, the Act will help the state deal with internal security in a comprehensive manner. "As of now, neither the states nor the Centre has such an elaborated Act on internal security," the official claimed.
"The draft defines the role each stakeholder – including civic bodies like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Housing department, road bodies and power entities. There will be coding of threats and alerts received, security audits and target hardening," an official said.
"The draft speaks of Standard Operating Procedures in case of an emergency and what roles stakeholders would play, in an elaborated manner. It also recommends that 'internal security' be made part of curriculum in schools and colleges to make youth aware of the possible threats," he said.
Another key element of the draft is that it has laid down the punishment to be awarded and the fine component on those found guilty under this Act. It also speaks on the medical and insurance benefits to be awarded to the victims.
MCOCA broke backbone of underworld dons, terror operatives
Earlier, Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999 had helped state combat underworld dons and terror groups. MCOCA, with stringent provisions, came down heavily on those associated with organised crime syndicate and terror. Soon, Gujarat and Delhi followed Maharashtra in coming out with similar Acts.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}