Coming soon: CISF service for a price

NEW DELHI: Soon, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) would be available to provide security to private sector undertakings. But of course, it would be available for a price. A Bill to amend the CISF Act is slated to be passed during the ongoing session of parliament to broaden the force’s ambit of operation.

The CISF will also go to provide security cover to the Indian high commissions. This had been necessitated following attack on Indian High Commission in Afghanistan and a similar threat in Pakistan and some other countries. The Section 15 of the CISF Act is being amended to enable the force’s deployment outside India including for the UN peacekeeping missions.

The Bill, introduced in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, once passed by parliament, would make its deployment possible at public places such as the five-star hotels and places of worship.

In fact, the CISF was already providing security-fire related consultancy to the private sector for the past one year. This was made possible following an amendment in the CISF Act in 1999. More than 50 big industrial houses have so far sought its help for their security and fire prevention needs.

According to the statement of objects of the Amendment Bill, 2008, the CISF doors were being opened for the private sector in view of the growing threat perception. The Mumbai incidents of November 26 reflected the urgency for such a move.