A New India

Chapter 124: Passed in the Parliament

After the Draft was ready, Rohan knew that it time for debate and voting.

It took Rohan 1 week before he could make sure there was no loopholes in the draft and only when he was sure it was flawless.

The CISF Act of 1953 entered on the floor, and he knew it wouldn't pass without resistance.

Opposition leaders had voiced concerns about the scope and power of the proposed Central Industrial Security Force, arguing that it was too much authority to place in the hands of one force.

But Rohan was prepared.

As he walked into the chamber, KN Menon, the Home Minister, followed closely behind, carrying the final version of the draft. Neeraj, who had been instrumental in shaping the bill, was seated nearby.

Rohan took his seat, scanning the faces of the young leaders across the aisle.

These were the rising voices of the opposition, young and fiery, many of whom had survived the recent political upheaval and were eager to assert their influence.

Some nodded in acknowledgment, others were already deep in whispered discussions. This was no ordinary debate this was about the future of India's industrial security.

The Speaker of the House called the session to order, and the room fell silent.

KN Menon rose to present the bill. "Honorable Speaker, members of the House,"

he began, his voice carrying easily across the room, "today we bring forth for consideration the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1953. This act is designed to create a specialized force tasked with the protection of India's critical industrial infrastructure, our power plants, refineries, airports, and more.

These are not just installations; they are the very foundation of our nation's economy, and their security is paramount."

There was a murmur in the chamber, but Menon continued. "The world is changing. The threats to our nation are no longer just external. Industrial sabotage, terrorism, and espionage are real dangers, and we cannot afford to be unprepared. The CISF will be a force unlike any other, with specialized training and a singular focus on protecting the lifeblood of our country."

Rohan watched the opposition benches closely. Arjun Thakur, one of the most vocal young opposition leaders, stood as soon as Menon finished.

Thakur was in his mid-30s, sharp-eyed and known for his fiery rhetoric.

He had quickly gained influence after the recent political purge and was seen as a future leader of the opposition.

His tone was respectful but carried an edge of challenge.

"Honorable Speaker, while I agree that the security of our industries is critical, I must express my concerns about this act. We are talking about giving a paramilitary force sweeping powers over both public and private sectors. Isn't this an overreach by the government? Are we not walking dangerously close to creating a force that could overstep its mandate?"

Rohan had expected this. As Menon returned to his seat, Rohan stood to address the chamber.

"Honorable Speaker, I thank Mr. Thakur for raising these concerns," Rohan began, his voice calm but firm.

"This act is not about overreach. It's about protection. Our industries are the backbone of our economy, and they are increasingly vulnerable. We have seen incidents, small ones, yes but incidents nonetheless that show us how fragile this system can be if left unguarded."

Rohan paused, his eyes locking with those of Thakur, who watched him intently. "Let me make this clear, the CISF is not a force that will interfere in the daily operations of private industries. Its role is purely protective. It will not govern. It will not dictate how businesses are run.

Its sole purpose is to ensure that our power plants, refineries, airports, and other vital installations are secure from threats whether those threats come from within or outside our borders."

Thakur, unshaken, replied, "Prime Minister, I understand the need for security, but how do we ensure that this force does not become a tool of control? What safeguards are in place to prevent misuse of power?"

Rohan didn't hesitate. "That's a valid question, and it's one we have addressed in the act. The CISF will report directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs, and its activities will be subject to oversight by this House. Every deployment, every operation will be transparent. Furthermore, the force is designed to collaborate with local law enforcement and intelligence agencies R&AW, IB, and the police.

It is not an isolated force. It will work within a framework of accountability."

Before Thakur could respond, Meera Iyer, another young and rising opposition leader, stood.

Iyer, known for her sharp mind and unrelenting questioning, had quickly made a name for herself in Parliament after emerging from the political turbulence of recent years.

"Prime Minister," she began, "you mention collaboration with local law enforcement. But isn't there a risk of confusion over jurisdiction? What happens in the event of a conflict between the CISF and local police? Who has the final authority?"

Rohan nodded, prepared for this question. "That's precisely why the CISF has been structured the way it has. In the event of a security threat, the CISF will take the lead when it comes to industrial installations, but only in coordination with local law enforcement. There will be no power struggles because the mandate is clear: the CISF deals with industrial security.

Law and order remain under the purview of the police. We have built this act in such a way that there will be no overlap of responsibilities."

KN Menon stood to support Rohan's argument. "Honorable members, this is not about taking power from local authorities. The CISF will step in only when there is a direct threat to a critical installation. Their presence is a shield, not an interference."

A brief silence followed, as the members absorbed the explanation.

But then Vikram Sethi, one of the younger and more idealistic members of the opposition, stood.

He had gained support among younger voters and intellectuals and was known for his eloquent speeches.

"Prime Minister," he said, "if I may ask, how do we ensure that the industries, especially private ones, are willing to cooperate? Will they be forced to engage the CISF, or is it voluntary?"

Rohan smiled slightly, sensing the shift in tone. "Industries will not be forced to engage the CISF. This is entirely voluntary for private enterprises. What we are offering is a consultancy service, one that they can choose to use if they feel it is necessary. Public infrastructure, of course, will be automatically protected.

But the private sector has the freedom to decide whether they want our services."

Sethi nodded thoughtfully, and Rohan could see that some members of the opposition were starting to soften.

Still, there was tension in the room. Experience tales with m_vl_em_p_yr

The debate continued for hours, with various young members raising concerns about funding, operational logistics, and the potential for political misuse.

But for every question, Rohan and his team had an answer. They had anticipated the resistance and had prepared thoroughly.

As the evening drew near, the Speaker finally called for a vote. The chamber grew silent as the members of the Lok Sabha cast their ballots.

Rohan sat back in his seat, watching as the final tallies were counted.

He knew he had the majority, but the opposition had made their voices heard. He respected that.

This was democracy in action, and he appreciated the careful scrutiny, even if it had come with moments of tension.

A few minutes later, the Speaker rose to announce the results.

"The Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1953 is hereby passed by the Lok Sabha."

A ripple of applause spread through the room, though the opposition benches remained mostly quiet.

Rohan allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction before standing to address the chamber one last time.

"Honorable members," he said, his voice carrying over the muted applause, "thank you for your thoughtful debate and your support. This act is not just a piece of legislation, it is a promise to protect the future of our nation. With the CISF, we are taking a vital step toward securing our industries, our economy, and our people."

As Rohan stepped out of the chamber, Neeraj walked beside him. "Well done, Sir," he said quietly.

Rohan smiled, though his mind was already moving forward. "Just another checkpoint covered, Neeraj".