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Backlash fear prevents security cuts for netas
Scared of a political backlash, Union home ministry (MHA) is avoiding pruning security of at least two dozen protectees despite a recommendation from its Security Categorisation Committee (SCC), sources told Hindustan Times.
Scared of a political backlash, Union home ministry (MHA) is avoiding pruning security of at least two dozen protectees despite a recommendation from its Security Categorisation Committee (SCC), sources told Hindustan Times.
“The SCC is headed by the Union home secretary and it recommended pruning of security with regard to around two dozen protectees but for the last one year the recommendations are yet to be implemented. Not only that, in the same period the ministry has agreed to provide to central security cover to more than 18 persons,” said a security official, requesting anonymity.
Sources told HT that political exigencies and sometimes insistence of top babus have been main reasons for extending or enhancing security covers. Here are few examples.
While two IAS officers were insisting on providing security to a small-time Ludhiana politician and despite an adverse review, the person managed to get Y category security. Another union minister didn’t have escort vehicles when he used to visit his home state, so MHA accorded him Z+ category security to automatically enable him get escort vehicles.
Security of a recently-appointed state Congress chief was enhanced to Z category to give him a proper ‘profile’. Some other Congress leaders, mostly in Uttar Pradesh, have also been given enhanced security to raise their profile.
Security officials told HT that the increasing number of protectees is taking a toll on their resources.
“The CISF, which has specialised security wing for such protectees, has asked for more resources to provide security cover to more people. The CRPF doesn’t want to get into the business of VIP protection as it is not the force’s core area. But the force is creating special infrastructure for VIP protection as it now has 37 persons to protect,” said a security official requesting anonymity.
