AP Private Security Association State President C. Bhaskar Reddy said there were around 1,500 security agencies in the State employing four lakh guards. He said there were 1,20,000 police personnel in the State and the police force was grossly inadequate and, therefore, the role of private guards was all the more important. The association was taking all steps to increase the skill levels of the guards. However, he regretted, “there is no respect for a security guard in society and the crucial role he/she plays.” He said the Union Government had enacted a special law for security guards and it was being implemented in 23 States and the AP Government should also take steps in that direction. Induction of new technology for foolproof security, employment of armed guards, recruitment and antecedents verification for private companies, and training were some of the key issues, he added. Referring to service tax, he said it was a major problem. “We are paying 12.3 per cent service tax on the salaries paid to security guards and the Government should consider our demand for waiver,” he said.
There is a need to impart training to private security guards through special schools, as their role is growing in guarding commercial establishments, offices, ATMs, companies and malls, according to Swaranjit Sen, former DGP of Andhra Pradesh and chief adviser to the AP Private Security Association. He was addressing a security awareness programme, organised by the association. He said there was little awareness about the role played by security guards and they were not getting the respect due to them and they were also being denied fair wages. He said the general impression that ex-servicemen would make good security guards was also not correct. “We should take all necessary steps to produce efficient, reliable security guards and it also opens up many employment opportunities for the youth,” he added. V. Amarnath, Vice-President of the association, Lt. Col (Retd) K.S. Rao, Joint Secretary, D.S Reddy, Secretary, and others also spoke on the occasion.
