Govt reviews security for VIPs

Few things make the ordinary citizen more furious than seeing politicians surrounded by dozens of security guards and cavalcades of cars with red-beacons that seem to be status symbols.

Why can't these resources be used to protect ordinary people instead.

While everyone understands that politicians do need to be protected, can't some of these excessive security guards be transferred to the new NSG hubs for example.

But just listen to how angry former Raiway Minister Lalu Yadav and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav got at the mere suggestion that some of their guards could be cut down.

"If you want to withdraw our security, if there is any attack on us you should be ready for getting punished. People who are behind such decisions will be responsible," said Lalu Prasad Yadav, RJD leader.

"There have been attacks on us, there have been threat to our life. If anything happens to us, home minister will be responsible," said Mulayam Singh Yadav, SP leader.

Lalu Yadav and Mulayam Singh are fighting to retain their NSG commandos in the face of a home ministry move to cut down VIP security.

About 430 VIPs are given various levels of security but recent reviews suggest as many as 200 either don't qualify or face no specific threat.

Just how many people should be protected by these crack commandoes is reviewed periodically by the Union Home Ministry but political pressure gets the better of the review for security.

Security without a threat?

• Shivraj Patil is protected by nearly 200 policemen that includes 80 men for his daughter-in-law and grandchildren
• Former DG NSG J K Dutt is protected by 60 policemen
• Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh has 120 policemen to protect him
• Varun Gandhi, BJP's Pilibhit MP, has about 30 personnel and escort vehicles

But the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has no security at all. He has refused any cover despite the sensitive nature of his job. Perhaps as a message to those who are clinging on to their security cover.

But clearly the message hasn't registered.

Now the home ministry says the security cover of former ministers like Lalu Yadav, chief ministers like Ashok Gehlot and Mayawati and former CMs like Mulayam Singh Yadav will be severely cropped and dropped altogether for some.