New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) Nearly 100 private firms across the country have approached the government for Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) protection following threat perceptions to their establishments, parliament was informed Tuesday.
The long list includes public sector organisations, luxury hotels, elite schools and important public installations.

Providing details to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Ajay Maken said the requests received from these companies were being considered according to priority.

Precedence was given to industrial units whose products or services were vital to the country’s economy including petroleum and natural gas installations, IT and communication hubs and power sector units.

The next preference was for industrial units located in Maoist affected or vulnerable areas followed by units that required large time lags to replace in case of damage. In this category fell shipbuilding, research institutions and heritage hotels.

Prominent among those who have applied for CISF cover include Reliance Industries Jamanagar unit, the company’s gas complex in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, IT major Wipro, Ambuja Cements, Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers Association and the Essar Refinery in Gujarat.

Several luxury hotel groups including the Trident, Oberoi, Le Meridien, The Leela and The Marriott Hotels have sought protection.

In the capital, three branches of the elite Delhi Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital and Radisson Hotel have also approached the home ministry.

Till date 169 CISF personnel have been deployed in two private forms - Infosys Technologies Limited and Electronics City in Banaglore. Private establishments are mandated to pay for this protection.