Understanding the Pasara License: What Is It and How Can Our Vendor Obtain It?

I need your help to know about the Pasara License. I am working with an IT company. One of our vendors has to obtain a Pasara License, which they have not yet obtained. I want to know what exactly a Pasara License is and the procedure to obtain it.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Manasi

There is a correction to your answer. Exemption and PASARA licence are two different things.

PASARA Licence

The PASARA licence is granted under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act 2005. This is a Central Act enacted to regulate private security agencies. This licence is granted by Police Authorities at the district level (for one district or for five districts) or at the state level.

Exemption under Maharashtra Act

On the other hand, exemption is granted under Section 23 of the Maharashtra Private Security Guard (Regulation of Employment & Welfare) Act 1981. It is permission to employ guards through a private agency. This section provides for registration with the Security Guard Board.

In Maharashtra, both the PASARA licence and exemption are mandatory. The objective of both enactments is the same, and provisions under both enactments are mandatory.

You are absolutely correct. However, having dealt with the complete process of PASARA and exemptions under Section 23, I have the opinion that:

PASARA Act vs. Maharashtra Private Security Guard Act

The PASARA Act, being the central Act, emphasizes more on scrutinizing the agency and its employees for safety against antisocial/antinational elements entering into this business as an agenda of national security. In contrast, the Maharashtra Private Security Guard (Regulation of Employment & Welfare) Act 1981 emphasizes more on the fulfillment of welfare related to security guards.

Further to add my personal view, it is also viewed as a revenue-generating tool for the government. Nevertheless, both acts are mandatory to be abided by. However, over the years, I, being in this industry, find that obligations stated in these acts for principal employers are not being understood properly, and business objectives are held on priority over security.

Request your views, please.

Thanks,
Bijay

Dear Bijay ji, Thank you very much for distinguishing between both the enactments correctly. Like many enactments, PASARA is also not being implemented in full swing. This enactment of 2005 is not known to many till now. The incident which took place at Mannat, in which a security guard was killed, brought this enactment to light for the first time in late 2006, to my knowledge.