At a recent meeting held with the group of agencies in Goa, James T Edatt, former President, Security Association of Goa and proprietor of James Security Services said they all had concerns pertaining to licencing and harassment by a section of the bureaucracy.
“111 local Goan agencies have applied for licences, which have been kept pending without an approval. We have been making every effort to follow the guidelines laid down by the law and will continue to do so. However, many agencies from outside Goa who do not comply with the rules and guidelines as per the Act have been granted licenses. This is unfair. The bureaucracy is favouring agencies from outside Goa over local agencies,” said Eddat.
The group further accused the Home Department of allegedly blatantly violating the rules being laid down by the State government to benefit a few agencies that are allegedly operating illegally and flouting the guidelines laid down under the Central Act 2005, the State Rules 2008 and the Goa Private Security Agencies (First Amendment) Rules, 2013.
They charged that local Goan agencies were being harassed and pointed out they have been asked to have an ownership premises for setting up the office, insisting on a sale deed.
“No such rule exists in the in the Goa Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005 or the Goa Private Security Agencies Rules 2008. Some other favoured agencies are granted licences even though they operate from rented premises,” added Eddat.
He claimed there were over 500 agencies that are operating in the State and are flouting the rules and guidelines and there has been no crackdown on these agencies.
“We, the local security agencies demand an explanation from the Government and the controlling authority as to why action is not being taken against agencies who have not applied for licences,” said Eddat, while calling for an inquiry against the home department bureaucrats.
