New Delhi: The Centre has shot down the
proposals of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat Chief Ministers
Mayawati and Narendra Modi who had sought security facilities
similar to that of the President and the Prime Minister.
Both state governments in separate communications to the
Union Home Ministry had asked for an Advance Security Liaison
(ASL) facilities to be extended to them even outside their
states.
Under the ASL, all state governments had to carry out
searches 24 hours before the VIP's visit and later seal the
place and handover a safety certificate to the office
concerned of the visiting dignitary.
This facility was available only to the President, the
Vice-President and the Prime Minister. This has been extended
to the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, as she was an SPG
protectee, and the Leader of Opposition L K Advani as he had
been constantly on the target of terror outfits.
The Centre after verifying the terror threats declined to
extend this facility to the two Chief Ministers saying it was
not possible to bring them under this security rule, the
sources said.
Earlier, Mayawati had sought advance presence of elite
NSG guards whenever she visits any location outside the state.
This was also declined by the Centre.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 17:35