MSSC recruitments begin,focus on ex-servicemen

“The recruitments will mostly be from ex-servicemen,serving and retired personnel from paramilitary forces,police and home guards. The cut-off age has been kept at 60 years so that constables who are retiring now will have the option of serving in the corporation for two years. Since they already have training in basic drills and weapons,they will be given an orientation course on security aspects. We have tied up with the Additional Director General of Police (training) for a one-week training course to be conducted in police training schools across the state,” said Jain.

The MSSC is also developing an online portal — http://www.mahasecurity.com — through which it will be able to network with potential clients and where applicants will be able to upload their details and be given a unique ID and password for future recruitments. A tender has been floated for developing the website,which is already online in a skeletal state.

Interest in the MSSC is high,with clients from various sectors placing requests for availing its services. “Banks and financial institutions such as the Bombay Stock Exchange,the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation,the Regional Passport Office and some oil refineries have approached us formally or informally,” said Jain.

Since its guards will be better trained and have powers to take offenders or trouble-makers into custody and hand them over to the nearest police station,the MSSC has almost finalised its rates at Rs 7,500 to Rs 8,000 per guard,which is slightly higher than the fee for an average private security guard. This rate,however,is still to be cleared by the board of directors.

The MSSC came into existence on April 19,2010,consequent to a statute having been passed by the state legislature. The idea of raising a dedicated force for security had been under consideration of the state government for some time. The MSCC is the state-level counterpart of CISF and a result of a joint initiative of the Centre and state. Its mandate is to cater to the security needs of government offices,corporations,vital installations,public sector undertakings (PSUs),local bodies,banks,financial,religious and educational institutions,hospitals,infrastructure projects,malls and multiplexes etc.