Security business turns big in Uttarakhand

Coming from the backward Khatima area of Uttarakhand, Ashok Kumar was jobless and unable to sustain his family.

With the coming of nearly 350 industries to Pantnagar, the small town nestled in the Kumaon region, Kumar has now got a job as a security guard in Tata Motors’ Ace plant.

Kumar was hired by SIS, a private agency, which is manning the security of the Tata plant. Like Kumar, hundreds of others have also found jobs in different agencies involved in the security of industries here.

Jeevan Singh Dhami found a job in the Nisa agency, which is deployed at one of the ancillary of Tata Motors. Dhami has now managed to get a job for his brother in the same agency.

As top-notch companies like Nestle, Bajaj Auto, Britannia, HP set new shops in this industrial hub of the hill state, scores of private security agencies have also come rushing to provide them security.

SIS, Tiger, G-4, Checkmate, Prime, GDX, Prowiz and others private agencies are now providing security to various industries at Pantnagar.

Besides private agencies, Uttarakhand Poorva Sainik Udyam Limited (UPSUL), a state government enterprise for ex-servicemen, has also chipped in. UPSUL is now manning the security of the regional office of the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL).

Like Pantnagar, private agencies are also managing the security industries in the integrated industrial estate of Haridwar, Selaquie and other areas also.

Though, persons working as guards get minimum wages, private agencies have been raking the moolah as more and more industries set up their new facilities.According to Girja Shankar Joshi, Labour Commissioner, it is very difficult to know the exact number of people employed by these security agencies. He, however, said a detailed survey has been initiated in this regard. He added the Labour commission was closely monitoring the wages of these people.

“We keep monitoring their wages and we also ensure that they at least get minimum wages under the Labour Act,” said Joshi.