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Home ministry to review security of VVIPs soon
Union home ministry will soon be reviewing security cover provided to VVIPs and possibly reduce the number of personnel guarding some of the high-profile protectees, sources told HT.
Union home ministry will soon be reviewing security cover provided to VVIPs and possibly reduce the number of personnel guarding some of the high-profile protectees, sources told HT.
"Currently, about 250 central protectees are given Z Plus, Z, Y and X category cover. The process to review the list will be initiated soon," a Union home ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.
There is no fixed numbers of security personnel for a particular category of security. The number of security personnel depends upon on the threat perception of the protectee. But generally about 40 to 60 personnel and at least two escort vehicles are required in the Z Plus category.
But ministry sources said the security of at least two dozen protectees, such as former union home minister Buta Singh, can be pruned as per the recommendation of its Security Categorisation Committee (SCC) headed by the Union home secretary.
The ever increasing number of protectees---in the past one year, the UPA added 18 more persons to the list--- takes a takes a toll on the resources of security agencies. Besides, security of VIPs is not part of the core duties of some of these agencies like National Security Guard and CRPF.
A home ministry official said the resolve to replace NSG, an anti-terrorism force, with Central Industrial Security Force post 26/11 Mumbai terror attack waned after two years. In fact, the NSG has to take care of UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh's security too.
