BMC wants MSSC guards to secure octroi nakas,health dept to save doctors from assault

A year after it was floated,the corporation has now finalised a camouflage uniform,selected 300 candidates from ex-Armymen and Home Guards and finally has a rank hierarchy with a proper pay structure. This week,the MSSC will also be inducting eight private institutes into its training panel to guide the selected candidates. While freshers,essentially private security and home guards,will be given six weeks of formal orientation,others like ex-servicemen and those picked from para-military forces will be given a two-week training.

The curriculum will largely piggyback on the Home Guards curriculum with some additions like electronic and cyber security. While the former looks into teaching control access through CCTVs,the latter will see them learning probe techniques in data theft as many of them will be posted in IT companies. A special emphasis is also being given to training in soft skills.

MSSC vice-chairman and managing director P K Jain said they will generate billings in advance and enter into a contract only after prospective clients pay in advance as the model is revenue based,with the guards’ salaries being paid by clients. The Pune-based Maharashtra Ex-servicemen Corporation and some other security outfits are running a deficit as many clients are yet to pay for long contracts,he said.

Jain,who did a study of private sector by “talking to as many private guards as possible”,said the attrition rate is the highest in the sector. “We have decided on a pay structure of Rs 12,000 as cost to the company along with PF,gratuity and other perks. Compared to the industry average of Rs 5,700,this is way better. It will prevent attrition and also ensure there is dignity in the job. Besides,the training is superior to what they are being given in the private sector,” he added.

The other important criteria for the contracts is that the MSSC will survey the prospective client’s security perimeter and conduct an area analysis. “Security should be done scientifically. If one has 10 acres and wants five guards,we won’t sign the contract as it will put undue pressure on our men and we will be held accountable if something goes wrong. We will conduct a recce,suggest the required number of guards and then sign the contract,” said Jain.

The contracts will also be signed only after the clients ensure a “reasonable technical infrastructure” such as CCTVs. The 300 selected candidates are now undergoing police verification and medical tests and will go for training by the weekend.