New Delhi, Nov 15 (IANS): The government is yet to take a decision on allowing private security guards to carry firearms, a senior home ministry official said Friday.

Until a decision is arrived at, such guards are allowed the use of non-lethal weapons to tackle issues related to security, K. Vijay Kumar, senior security adviser at the home ministry told the "Private Security Industry Conclave 2013", organised here by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Suggesting closer coordination between the private security industry and the government, he said the two agencies should work in tandem and bridge the gaps to increase effectiveness and efficiency.

Though private security agencies find themselves, at times, under financial constraints, they should never compromise when hiring a trainer for the agency, Kumar said.

Manjari Jaruhar, chairperson FICCI committee on private security industry and former special director general of the Central Industrial Security Force said: "The sheer size of the industry is its strength. The private security guards outnumber police forces."

"The ratio of private security personnel to police in India is 2:1 and will soon reach 3:1. The government should consider utilising the force as an extended arm for enforcement agencies. Outsourcing non-critical activities of policing may be considered at the moment," she said.