Wary of Naxal attack in MP? Hire a cop for Rs 1,600 a day

The govt in process of formation of State Industrial Security Force but unlike Central Industrial Security Force it would be available on payment basis

Soon, companies in Madhya Pradesh will be able to hire armed police personnel. In view of the rising Naxalite attacks, the state has decided to make police available for corporate houses and business honchos on a payment basis. By year-end, the state will have, on the lines of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a State Industrial Security Force (SSIF).

The SSIF will hire trained commandos from other paramilitary forces on deputation and, later, will recruit and train own commandos. “We have bought 35 hectares in Singrauli and will soon start creating infrastructure for the Singrauli battalion,” a police official told Business Standard.

These battalions will come up in Singrauli, Indore, Rewa and Bhopal. The government also plans to expand the service to Sidhi and Anuppur districts.

Singrauli and Anuppur have attracted huge investment from power companies such as Reliance, Essar, NTPC, MP Power, etc. Besides, the Aditya Birla Group-promoted Hindalco is also setting up a Rs 20,000-crore alumina smelter plant.

“We have received demands from various companies, including Northern Coalfields Limited, Essar, Jaypee group, Oman Oil Refinery and others. A total of 2,400 personnel have been demanded. We will create the force with 4,000 policemen that would include staff from constables to inspectors,” said Nandan Dubey, Director-General of Police, Madhya Pradesh.

However, it would be a costly affair for companies to hire SSIF personnel. An inspector-rank officer will be available at Rs 7.50 lakh a year, while a constable will be available for Rs 4.50 lakh. If a company has to hire a battalion of 132 personnel, it would be charged accordingly. SSIF personnel will be available for a day. An inspector will be available at Rs 3,100 a day and a constable will come at Rs 1,600 a day.

Although Dubey ruled out any major Naxal activities in these districts, he said, “Their movement cannot be denied in these areas. We remain on high alert to avert untoward situation as we have reports of extortions incidences from local mining contractors where miners work in isolated localities.”

Northern Coalfields Limited has placed a demand of 1,200 personnel. Similarly, Jaypee and Oman Oil Refinery want at least one battalion each at their plants. “We have received demands from various companies, be it Jaypee, Northern Coalfields Limited or Bharat Oman Oil Refinery and we will soon set up the SSIF,” said M P Dwivedi, Additional Director General of Police.

The recruitment in SSIF will be based on four-pronged plan; direct recruitment, hiring of para-military personnel on deputation, hiring own staff -- homeguard and personnel from state police.

“We have written to all para military forces if their staff is interested in joining SSIF on deputation. They will receive better perks and salaries, facilities. Also, those who are homesick will have a better choice. They will be hired for a period of three years, which could be extended for another two years,” said Dwivedi.

“We will provide SSIF personnel on demand. If an industrialist wants a single cop, it would also be available for a day on fee basis. We are framing rules and an Act would come soon to provide them legal teeth unlike plain guards available at private security agencies,” said Dwivedi.