The central government has made some changes in the security cover provided to former PM Manmohan Singh. As per reports, the SPG security provided to Dr Manmohan Singh will now be replaced with CRPF staff.
#BREAKING – Manmohan Singh’s security cover downgraded. Manmohan to be provided with Z+ security cover. | @Arunima24 with more details pic.twitter.com/P0GRO0T8DY
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 26, 2019
As per reports, the security cover provided to former Prime Ministers is subjected to periodical reviews and as per the review reports submitted by IB and other agencies, the government has decided to replace the SPG security with CRPF. The former PM will continue to have Z+ level security for his protection.
The MHA, that is responsible for the security of all former PMs and VVIPS, has stated that the security review is periodical and professional exercise and it is done on the basis of threat perception that is based on an assessment undertaken by security agencies.
MHA has clarified that the former PM will continue to have a Z+ security cover and only the SPG staff will be replaced with CRPF.
Earlier in June, former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh had written an angry letter to the Prime Minister’s Office and Home Minister Amit Shah after the centre followed the existing rules to turn down a request from former PM to retain his full 14-member staff.
The government had reduced the size of secretarial staff to 5 from the earlier 14.