VIPs about to lose 'X Factor'

Following a review, government has decided to withdraw the security cover provided to many high-profile personalities

In a security cover overhaul conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the security of about twenty-nine VIPs was withdrawn. All of them were protected under the X category security.


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According to sources in the ministry, after reviewing the security cover on 11 August 2010 and then 9 December 2010, MHA decided to cut down the security of 29 VIPs including CPI leader D Raja and chairman of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Girija Vyas.

Sources in the Home Ministry said that the security agencies, primarily Intelligence Bureau (IB) had sent a report after reviewing the threat perception to these VIPs. The results indicated that these individuals were no longer at risk and their security cover may be withdrawn. Senior officials of home ministry, intelligence bureau and Delhi police had a meeting and decided to take away the security of 29 VIPs. Most of them are Members of Parliament.

Sources said that in X category security, three PSOs - personal security officers - are provided to the VIP. "There is a procedure which is followed before providing security to anyone. The Intelligence Bureau submits a report to the ministry after ascertaining the threat perception to the applicant after which the MHA assigns them the deserving category of cover," a senior home ministry official stated.

There are four levels of security category which can be given to VIPs as per their threat perception. Z+ has a security cover of approximately 63 security personnel, Z category cover comprises approximately 25 security men, under Y category the VIP is entitled to approximately 11 security personnel, while in X category, 3 security personnel are assigned to protect the individual.