Despite an increase in the number of crimes involving cab drivers, not many call centres have shown interest in getting the antecedents of their drivers and security guards verified.
Following last week's incident where Delhi police arrested gangsters working as BPO cab drivers, Gurgaon police has urged the Call Centre Association of India (CCAI) to sensitize BPOs on the matter.
"Despite our repeated reminders and meetings with the BPO representatives, we have been able to collect just 1,000 verification forms of cab drivers and security guards and that, too, from just one company. Genpact was the only company that had provided the consolidated list of its drivers and guards. Others such as Convergys and IBM Daksh also have almost prepared the list and are about to hand them to us. Response from the rest has been nil," said Gurgaon SSP Hanif Qureshi.
In a drive launched last week, Delhi Police had arrested four members of Delhi based Ashwani gang who had killed two cab drivers and dumped their bodies in the gutters in Sector 46 in Gurgaon. It was discovered that two of the gangsters had worked as cab drivers in two BPOs of Gurgaon.
"In the first phase of verification drive we have collected 34,000 forms pertaining to domestic helps, sweepers, hawkers, drivers and guards from all over Gurgaon. However, 1000 of these forms were received from one BPO company. In phase II, we are going to rush our cops to the original addresses of the persons whose forms we have received," the SSP added.
About 150 small, medium and big sized BPOs operate in Gurgaon and about 5000 cabs are on the job to ferry their employees.
"In the first phase of verification drive we have collected 34,000 forms pertaining to domestic helps, sweepers, hawkers, drivers and guards from all over Gurgaon. However, 1000 of these forms were received from one BPO company. In phase II, we are going to rush our cops to the original addresses of the persons whose forms we have received," the SSP added.
About 150 small, medium and big sized BPOs operate in Gurgaon and about 5000 cabs are on the job to ferry their employees.
The BPO employees, particularly the girl employees who work night shifts, have expressed concern over crime involving cab drivers.
"Our employer must ensure the driver who picks up and drops us in his cab is a clean person. I feel unsafe now while commuting during late hours to work," said a woman employee of a BPO on NH-8.
Qureshi said Gurgaon police personnel would be sent physically to the addresses mentioned in the verification form instead of sending verification request by post to the respective police station. The other method would take more time, he reasoned.
"We have urged the CCAI, Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce & Industries (GCCI) and Gurgaon Industrial Association (GIA) to mobile their member units to come forward with the list of the employees including guards and drivers for police verification," the SSP added.
Sam Chopra, president CCAI, claimed that the member organizations were informed of the benefits of the verification of their workforce and many had moved and submitted their lists.
"But since CCAI does not enjoy regulatory powers. We can at the most recommend our members to do a task," he added.