Aug. 26, 2019
Prelims Pointers
Aug. 26, 2019
SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP (SPG)
According to several sources, the Government of India is likely to withdraw the SPG from former PM Manmohan Singh’s security. If this happens, then SPG would be tasked with protecting only PM Modi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
About:
- What is it? It is an armed force of the Union for providing proximate security to the following
- Prime Minister (PM) of India,
- Former PM of India and
- Members of their immediate families wherever they are.
- Prime Minister (PM) of India,
- Type:
- It was formed in 1985 after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as an executive body on the recommendation of Birbal Nath committee.
- Later on it became a statutory body under Special Protection Group Act, 1988.
- It was formed in 1985 after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as an executive body on the recommendation of Birbal Nath committee.
- Governance:
- It is governed by Cabinet secretariat of India.
- SPG chief is an officer of the rank of inspector-general.
- It is governed by Cabinet secretariat of India.
- Tenure of security cover to former PM:
- SPG Security is provided to former PM and the members of his immediate family for a period of one year from the date on which the former PM ceased to hold office and beyond one year based on the level of threat as decided by the Central Government.
- However, the security to them can be extended in case the threat is of grave and continuing nature.
- SPG Security is provided to former PM and the members of his immediate family for a period of one year from the date on which the former PM ceased to hold office and beyond one year based on the level of threat as decided by the Central Government.
Important Info :
Initially, SPG provided security to PM only, but after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, the SPG Act was amended in 1991 to provide security to former PMs and their immediate families.
- Former PMs, their immediate family members, and family members of a serving Prime Minister may, if they choose, decline SPG security.
Source : द हिन्दू
Defence & Security
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