Anti-encroachment drive: PCB to continue with private security squad

Even as some members insisted to depend on police,Shaikh said the contract with the Maji Sainik security,which had actually expired in March this year,would be continued till the end of this fiscal year. The cantonment board had earlier approved the contract of private security from May 1,2009,to March 31,2010. The contract has now been extended with the approval of the president of the cantonment board for 2010-11.

However the vice-president of the board,Sangeeta Pawar,said this does’nt prevent the board from exploring the possibility of seeking police aid. “We are even exploring the possibility of reverting to the system of making use of police in anti-encroachment drives. Actually,we even expect a change of policy after the new CEO assumed the office recently”.

According to officials,the board has sought the service of the private security only raze minor encroachments and it still relies on police for bigger anti-encroachment drives.

An officer of the nuisance squad of the PCB said,“ We are regularly carrying out anti-encroachment drives and have booked hawkers and even those who had encroached the pavements on the busy MG Road and other cantonment areas. This was done with the help of private security squad.”

Shaikh,however,said the members were of the view that while the police can provide the protection for the confiscation of the wares and other products,which are mostly being displayed on pavements,it was important to outsource the work. “This is important as we are short of staff.”

An official of the nuisance squad wing of the cantonment board said anti-encroachment drives are in offing in the Fashion Street and other busy junctions of the cantonment area.