Date:08/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/08/stories/2006010814300300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Carry out background checks on employees, says Nataraj

Staff Reporter

Discusses security steps with educational institutions, firms

SECURITY CONCERNS: Representatives of BPO and information technology companies and educational/research organisations who participated at a meeting with the Greater Chennai Police officials on Saturday.

CHENNAI: The terror attack at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the recent rape and murder of a woman BPO employee have raised questions on security for institutions and individuals.

In this background, Greater Chennai Police Commissioner R. Nataraj on Saturday met with representatives from various business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, besides educational and research institutions, to discuss the emerging security scenario.

Metal detectors

Installation of closed-circuit television cameras, doorframe metal detectors, fire alarms and X-ray scanning machines at strategic locations were some suggestions made at the meeting. Another idea that was mooted was fixing surveillance cameras at building entrances, and parking lots.

Mr. Nataraj suggested that a central control room be set up in the institutions to monitor the functioning of the gadgets. These control rooms should be manned by trained personnel.

Reliable transport

Also, adequate protection should be provided to women employees of software parks and call centres. Safe and reliable transport should be arranged to drop them home.

Background checks

Companies should check the antecedents of drivers before recruiting them.

They could seek the help of the police to carry out background checks on employees, Mr. Nataraj said.

He also wanted the companies to collect all data on their employees along with their photographs and fingerprints.

Representatives of Anna University, the Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, the Indian Institute of Technology, the Central Leather Research Institute, Madras University, HCL, TCS, Sathyam Computers, CTS, TIDEL Park and TICEL Park participated in the meeting.