Infosys by this week will become the first private establishment to get the security cover of CISF – the paramilitary force which currently provides security to only government establishments.

The paramilitary force, which was recently given the additional responsibility of providing security to private and co-operative sector establishments, will deploy 101 of its armed personnel, headed by an assistant commandant to guard Infosys in the IT city.

The company will pay around Rs 2.56 crore per annum to CISF in lieu of the security service availed by it as the paramilitary force will incur that much of amount annually as its cost for providing ‘anti-terrorist and anti-sabotage’ cover.

Other private companies like Wipro and the Reliance refinery in Jamnagar are next in line to get such cover shortly. At least 79 corporate houses, including Reliance, Tatas and Oberois, have so far approached the home ministry seeking CISF security cover.

The induction of CISF at the Infosys facility in Bangalore will take place in the presence of Infosys chief mentor N R Narayana Murthy. The CISF security will ensure armed protection for the company with the help of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and commando units besides the existing security and access control measures deployed by Infosys.

The CISF was mandated to protect the private sector after the government made an amendment in the CISF Act in January this year, in the aftermath of 26/11. The paramilitary force will provide security to private and co-operative sector units on the cost reimbursement basis - the way it is currently providing security to public sector undertakings.