nThe soon-to-be enacted Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Bill, 2005, will ensure that nobody is allowed to carry on the business of running private security agencies without a licence issued by the controlling authority. The licences would be valid for five years and can be renewed.

nThe prime target of the Bill are the small-time agencies that often pass off untrained personnel ? often with a criminal record ? as security guards.

nThe new law will hold the companies responsible for negligence or involvement of their guards in crimes.

nAgencies could provide guards with or without arms. Any existing private security agency, operating before the Act came into existence, could also obtain a licence within a year.

nThe new law will hold the companies responsible for negligence. New firms seeking a licence will have to train their personnel in line with rules that will be drafted once the law is enacted. A positive antecedent report will also be made mandatory for hiring guards.