Latest news in facility, security and cleaning management in India

Is Hotel Security better after 26/11?

In a country like India, marked by an extreme poor police citizen ratio, the need of the hour is a security model for the hotel Industry. In such attacks of extremism, security guards are the first line of defense available. Had the guards of Taj been trained and armed to face the situation, probably the story would have been less tragic. Hence, there is a need for concrete legislation regarding private security personnel’s powers that could clearly define the activities and powers that can be exercised by them in case of exigency. There is a need for the Government to recognize specialized security academies for providing advanced training to private guards, technical as well as soft skills. The facilitation would be important owing to the fact that most of the people employed in the industry are not in a position to pay for their own trainings. On the other hand the security training needs to be made mandatory owing to the increased threat perceptions and in line with technological advancements the terrorists have achieved.

Source: New Delhi Times

Dramatic bank heist brings PMO to Sonipat

A day after robbers cleaned out 89 lockers in a Haryana bank by walking in and out of a tunnel 125-ft long, 7-ft high and 2.5 ft. wide, the Prime Minister’s Office dispatched one of its top officers to the break-in site in Sonipat district. The tunnel had been dug from an abandoned building next to the bank branch. The robbers broke open 89 lockers, possibly with gas-cutters, and decamped with the valuables inside. Punjab National Bank branch manager S L Khurana said: “The police are doing the investigation. We cannot divulge details about the lockers or how did it happen. We hope the accused will be nabbed soon.”

Source: The Indian Express

HC takes the hard line on lack of security in schools
The High Court on Thursday came down heavily on private schools and the state government for not taking steps to implement safety guidelines issued by the police. Justice A N Venugopala Gowda, while hearing a petition filed by private schools challenging the circular issued by the City Police Commissioner following the Vibgyor rape case, directed the schools to adopt security measures on school premises. The petitioners had complained that guidelines were issued only to private schools, not government schools. The court then directed the state to provide security in government-run schools as well. Counsel representing the state said issuance of ID cards is done and CCTV cameras will be installed in all schools shortly, at a cost of Rs. 13 crore.

Source: The New Indian Express

Why clean toilets matter?
Public toilets make up a fraction of the square footage in most commercial facilities, but the results of a new study has revealed that their appearances make these rooms powerhouses of influence that can affect businesses’ customers, employees and other stakeholders. Research shows that the design and maintenance of a facility’s toilets are a direct reflection of the facility and its management.

Source: www.constructionweekonline.com

Power hungry businesses build their own solar plant

Fed up with constant electricity cuts and government-enforced "power holidays", Indian IT firm ValueLabs has turned to the sun beaming down on its head office for help. In July, it finished building a 13 megawatt solar plant — enough to power 6,000 homes — to keep the lights on and computers humming for more than 3,000 employees at its base in Hyderabad.

Source: Times of India