Police for Hire? Gujarat Private Parties Yet to Pay ₹2.59 Crore for Security Deployment

The Gujarat government's policy of providing police personnel to private parties on a payment basis has come under scrutiny after figures presented in the Legislative Assembly revealed that more than ₹2.59 crore in police bandobast charges remains outstanding in just Kutch and Surendranagar districts.

Under the state's “on-payment police bandobast” policy, police personnel can be deployed for private companies and other private parties against payment. While the arrangement is intended to provide security where required, questions are now being raised over whether police resources meant for public safety are being diverted to private assignments.

Police for Private Security, Staff Shortage for Public?

The policy continues to operate under a government resolution dating back to October 1, 1999.

The issue has raised questions over the allocation of police resources, particularly when citizens seeking protection or action against theft and anti-social elements are often confronted with claims of staff shortages.

Critics have questioned whether police personnel should primarily be deployed for public safety and law-and-order duties or private projects and commercial establishments.

₹2.59 Crore Plus Still Awaiting Recovery

The government, in a written reply to a question in the Assembly, acknowledged that private parties owe the state more than ₹2.59 crore towards police bandobast services in Kutch and Surendranagar.

The outstanding amount includes more than ₹2.02 crore in Surendranagar alone.

In Kutch, a sensitive border district, ₹57.50 lakh remains outstanding towards police bandobast charges.

Questions Over Recovery of Government Dues

The figures have also raised questions about the government's recovery mechanism.

While government agencies often take strict action against ordinary citizens and businesses over unpaid dues, including sealing properties in some cases, questions are being raised over why similar urgency is allegedly lacking in recovering payments from private parties that have availed police bandobast services.

The substantial outstanding amount in both districts has brought the government's monitoring and recovery process under the scanner.

1999 Resolution Still Governs Policy

The government continues to provide police deployment to private parties under the framework of the October 1, 1999 government resolution.

The latest Assembly figures have renewed the debate over the policy, its impact on police availability for ordinary citizens and the effectiveness of the government mechanism for recovering payments from private entities.