It has been almost two years since the formation of the State Association of Private Security Industry (SAPSI), an organization of security agency owners in Kerala. Presently under the leadership of the state president Shri. Major Ravi, SAPSI is going strong. Former Patron and Rt. Superintendent of Police Mr PV Chacko, which started with 17 members after swearing oath, today has grown to become the largest security agency owners association in India with more than 160 members and district committees in ten districts of Kerala.

It has been a year and a half wait for the first meeting of SAPSI, which started during the first Covid lockdown period. Even then, the flow of members to the organization continued to increase. Heartfelt greetings of SAPSI to all the founder members who stood united to form SAPSI. SAPSI remains indebted to the District Committee office-bearers in 10 districts and to the members of the four districts where the number of members is insufficient to constitute a District Committee. Heartfelt greetings of the State Committee to all the members who sincerely and unitedly stand with SAPSI.

As an owner, SAPSI's ultimate objective is to create an environment where the industry can go smoothly. SAPSI has always raised its voice for that regardless of politics.

Activities of SAPSI till date

SAPSI started by distributing large quantities of TVs, laptops and mobile phones free of cost to the children and grandchildren of security personnel when schools went online during the lockdown period.

At the request of the Aluva Press Club, study materials were distributed to around one hundred and fifty children. Study materials were distributed to the children of those who could not go to work due to COVID-19 and are financially worried.

An affiliation of our organization with the national organization Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI) is also a big advantage of the organization.

It was a show of love and respect for the country's soldiers that the organization's members organized a program called Tribute to the Brave Soldiers at the Ernakulam High Court Junction by paying homage to the brave soldiers who died a heroic death in Kargil.

During the lockdown, SAPSI members, who were stuck due to non-payment of the bill amount, reduction in the number of security personnel and repayment of bank loans, organized a strong blockade in front of the Reserve Bank to extend the bank loan moratorium and as a result, extended the moratorium for another three months. The strike was a huge success, garnering full media attention. SAPSI's greetings to all the members who participated in it.

During the lockdown period, it was a very challenging thing to reach the hospital for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and other critical patients. It was a time when poor security personnel and their families lived in fear. As per the decision of the then SAPSI State Committee, an idea came up to introduce a free ambulance in the name of SAPSI. As a result, SAPSI Ernakulam District President Shri. Varghese came forward. Ernakulam City Police Commissioner Mr With Nagaraju IPS flagging off, SAPSI ambulances hit the road and thousands of patients became dependent. Ernakulam District President Mr. Varghese sir, deserves a big appreciation.

During the lockdown period, the private security department worked hand in hand with the health workers and the police force. Our employees are the ones who have worked without sleeping in fear in completely closed shopping malls, in front of shops, in all categories of hotels, and companies, in occupied apartments, and hospitals overflowing with covid patients. The organization noticed that while health workers, the police force, and many other sections were included in the vaccine priority category, only private security personnel who worked at risk of their lives during the lockdown were not included. This was brought to the attention of the government by the officials of the organization and the government issued a circular including the private security sector in the priority list, which became a big success for our organization.

SAPSI conducted 6 free vaccine camps for the security personnel who had a hard time getting the COVID-19 vaccine. About 4,000 security personnel received the vaccine free of charge. Through these camps, hundreds of agency owners, staff, and their families were vaccinated. This was an activity that gave a lot of life to the organization called SAPSI. In this regard, SAPSI expresses its heartfelt thanks to the state government on behalf of every member.

Bima Suraksha Yojana, a scheme to provide accident insurance cover to private sector security staff in collaboration with SAPSI and the Indian Postal Department, was launched at a function at Ernakulam Head Post Office and Kozhikode Head Post Office.

In collaboration with Travanfo Academy, SAPSI was able to organize about seven classes to provide training for private security agency owners and through it, the agency owners were able to understand what are the things to fulfil their responsibilities.

One of the most difficult things for owners in the private security sector is the hassle of not paying the bill. SAPSI remains committed to reacting strongly against this negative trend of major employers and to paying the amount. Many companies in the organization now have experience with that.

A day was a dream for private security personnel. As per the decision of the Central Association of Private Security Industry (CAPSI), the decision was taken to observe 4th December every year as Private Security Day. Ernakulam City Police Commissioner Sri Nagaraj inaugurated the IPS Private Security Day on 4th December 2021 at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, Ernakulam, and felicitated the security personnel and distributed certificates and cash awards to the best security personnel.

The first General Body of SAPSI was held at IMA Hall, Kalur, about one and a half years after the formation of SAPSI. Despite the threat of COVID-19, members from all districts of Kerala reached the IMA Hall to attend the SAPSI General Body. ACP Shri Ajayakumar sir inaugurated the meeting and all the members went back with full hearts after the band mela and other artistic performances.

All members are aware that the government has decided to increase the minimum wage in the private security sector in Kerala. SAPSI officials were invited for a meeting on the Minimum Wages Advisory Board and the views of the organization were sought. Various labour union leaders participated in the meeting held at the Thiruvananthapuram Labor House and demanded that the minimum wage be increased to 23000 rupees. SAPSI officials told the meeting that it is difficult to implement equal pay for all age groups in the