Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 28: Government today introduced in the Legislative Assembly two bills seeking to have a law for regulating the functioning of private security agencies and setting up of an authority to maintain and manage the existing golf courses in the State.
While introducing Jammu and Kashmir Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Bill on behalf of Chief Minister, who is also Minister In-charge Home Department, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather said, “there is a need to provide a legal framework for regulating the functioning of private security agencies including their licensing and de-licensing”.
“With the expansion of economy in the country a large number of private business enterprises have come up in the State which has increased the demand for security resulting in proliferation of private security agencies”, Mr Rather said, adding “although these private security agencies have helped in meeting the security needs, yet there un-regulated activities can have serious security implications”.
The Minister further said, “following enactment of legislation, the Government will designate an officer now below the rank of Special Secretary as the controlling authority”, adding “no person would be able to carry on or commence the business of private security agency unless he holds a license issued under the Act”.
Under the new law, any person who has been convicted of an offence of fraud committed in connection with promotion, formation or management of a company or convicted for an offence punishable with imprisonment of not less than two years, keeping links with any organization or association which is banned under any law on account of activities which pose threat to security of the State or public order and has been dismissed or removed from the Government service on grounds of misconduct or moral turpitude would not be entitled for license.
About the financial implications, the Minister said that in the beginning some subordinate staff would be required in order to make the authority functional which will put burden of Rs 4.75 lakh only on the Government exchequer”. “Any person carrying on the business of private security agency, immediately before the commencement of the Act, may continue to do so for a period not exceeding six months from the date of such commencement and if he has made an application for such licenses within the period of six months, he may continue it for a further period of three months or till the disposal of application”, the Minister added.
The Minister further said, “any person who is a permanent resident of the State, has completed 18 years of age but has not attained the age of 65 years; a person who satisfies the agency about his character and antecedents; has completed the prescribed security training successfully or completes the same within one year of his engagement, fulfils such physical standards as may be prescribed and satisfies such other conditions as may be prescribed would be eligible to be a private security guard”.
While introducing Golf Development and Management Bill on behalf of Minister for Tourism, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather said, “in order to maintain and manage the existing golf courses as also to develop new ones keeping in view the international standards, it has been felt appropriate to constitute a Golf Development and Management Authority”.
“The basic reasons for creation of the authority are to build, maintain, manage and promote all types of golf infrastructure in the State, to establish Golf Information Centers and Golf Courses, to hold golf tournaments and events, engage consultants and turf experts for maintenance and up-gradation of the golf courses, formally request for acquisition of properties for carrying out all or any of its activities for promotion and management of golf courses, conduct or organize tournaments, competitions, training courses, exhibitions, tours and other items which help in the promotion of golf in the State”, the Minister said.
Moreover, the authority will purchase machinery and equipment, engage experts/consultants in various fields like turf management, layout of golf courses, holding of golf tournaments and coaching and raise funds generally for betterment of the golf courses and carrying on the activities.
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