Sept. 8: In a smart move to cut down the security cover of VIPs, the Centre intends to create three fresh categories in addition to the existing X, Y, Z and Z-Plus categories of security cover.
Under the new rules, which are in the initial stages in the home ministry, the number of security personnel assigned to VIPs covered under existing categories could be reduced without making drastic cuts in their security. Currently, as many as 60 security personnel are deployed to guard one VIP with Z-Plus security, 30 personnel for Z cover, eight for Y and three for each VIP with X security cover.
The fresh categories will be created between X and Y, Y and Z, and Z and Z-plus. For instance, VIPs in Z category (30 security personnel) will suffer a cut of at least 10 security personnel if the ministry feels their cover is exaggerated. While the pruning for X and Y categories has already been completed, ministry sources said Z and Z-Plus will follow soon. The Centre is also disengaging central paramilitary force personnel, such as ITBP commandos, from VIP duty.
Former Union home minister Shivraj Patil, who has not relinquished the Z category cover allocated to him when he was in charge of the ministry, has apparently left the home ministry in a fix. "There is no move to scale down Mr Patil’s security cover. Under the fresh arrangements being worked out, those VIPs who have two escort vehicles will be given only one, and instead of double armed guards at their residence, only one armed guard will be provided," a senior MHA official said. Interestingly, J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah , who enjoys Z-Plus cover, faces a shortage of security personnel during his visits to Delhi. "Even though he has seven escort vehicles, each car does not have three security personnel, which is the requirement," the official said.
Meanwhile, Union home minister P. Chidambaram has given a free hand to the officers concerned to scale down the security of VIPs with "exaggerated" cover. Sources indicated there is a proposal to scale down the security of SP general secretary Amar Singh, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, National Commission of Scheduled Castes chairperson Buta Singh, former external affairs minister Natwar Singh and Lok Janashakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan among others. The home ministry is of the opinion that security should be provided only to those who either face credible threats or hold constitutional posts. "If we manage to disengage even 100 security personnel initially, it creates manpower for at least two police stations," the official said.
The NSG cover given to Z-Plus protectees like UP chief minister Mayawati, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav will continue. There will also be no pruning of the security cover of senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani and Dr M.M. Joshi, who are perceived as facing high threat levels.
The Centre recently withdrew X category security given to former Chief Justice of India Y.K. Sabharwal, former MPs Govinda and Anwar Hussain, UP politician D.P. Yadav and some local leaders from the Northeast states.
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