“There are 21,835 licenses of Private Security Agencies”, says MoS Nityanand Rai in written reply to Lok Sabha

New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): The data pertaining to the number of private security agencies in the country is not maintained centrally. This data is maintained at the level of State/UT, said Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

“Private Security Agencies in the country are regulated as per provisions of the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 [PSAR Act]. The data pertaining to the number of private security agencies in the country is not maintained centrally. This data is maintained at the level of State/UT. However, in the year 2019, the Central Government developed a ‘Private Security Agency Licensing Portal’ to facilitate the States/UTs for the online issue of licences to private security agencies. As per the web portal, there are 21,835 licenses of Private Security Agencies as of November 11, 2023,” MoS Nityanand Rai said.

He further said that in order to make Private Security Agencies more professional and responsible, the Government of India has notified two model rules under the PSAR Act, 2005, namely, the Private Security Agencies Central Model Rules, 2020 and the Private Security Agencies (Private Security to Cash Transportation Activities) Rules, 2018.

“The new Model Rules, 2020 accommodate changes in the ecosystem over the years and are aligned with the key visions of ‘Digital India’ and ‘e-Governance’. The licensee of a private security agency has to successfully undergo training relating to private security as prescribed by the Controlling Authority. The new model rules provide a syllabus for the training of licensees to bring uniformity in licensee training across the States. The training shall be for a minimum period of six working days which shall broadly include the following subjects, namely, (i) Present security scenario, (ii) Role and Functioning of Private Security Agencies, (iii) Legal provisions, (iv) Management of Security Agencies, (v) Interface with public, Police and other departments and (vi) Private Security Personnel – DO’s and DON’Ts (Conduct Rules),” Nityanand Rai added in his written reply to a question by Sunil Kumar Singh BJP MP in the Lok Sabha.

Nityanand Rai on Monday emphasised that the ministry is committed to fast-track the development of Ladakh and meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh.

Rai’s statement came in a High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting held in Delhi under his chairmanship.

He also said that a number of initiatives, like increasing the budgetary allocation for the UT, increasing funds provided to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils, ensuring all-round connectivity, developing infrastructure like mobile networks and roads, and the construction of new helipads, have been undertaken at a much faster pace.