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Maharashtra government sets up panel to decide on Z-plus cover for VIPs

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In a major move aimed at cutting down the number of policemen deployed for VIP security and making more manpower available for policing duties, the state government has delegated these powers to a high-powered committee, which will take decisions based on threat perceptions and intelligence inputs.
The decision of the committee, which will consist of senior state government and police officials, will be final and not require political clearances.

What does the CM say?
"A high-powered committee will decide on the amount of security to be offered to individuals by considering the threat perception and intelligence inputs, and submit their recommendations to the government," said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, admitting that many times, previous dispensations had overruled the decisions of the panel, giving unnecessary security to some people.
Senior officials said Fadnavis had personally written a half-page note stating that as determination of threat perception was a technical matter based on police assessment, the powers should not be exercised by home minister or chief minister but by a committee headed by the chief secretary as prescribed under relevant rules.

Who will be on the committee?
The committee will consist of the chief secretary, director general of police and the commissioner, state intelligence.

How, according to Fadnavis, will the committee work?
"We have decided to delegate these powers to the committee, and its decision will be final. On the basis of regulatory networks in departments, the committee will take decisions based on facts and technical inputs and will not require further approvals... it will have the right to apply these recommendations, and the government's approvals will not be required," said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

What was the procedure earlier?
Officials said this is a major departure from precedence, where the chief minister or home minister would decide on the security deployment, with political leaders and members of swish set looking to mobilise support with the political establishment for the ultimate security symbol — Z-plus cover.

How many personnel are deployed for this security currently?
Presently, 34 inspectors, 302 assistant inspectors or sub-inspectors, 108 head constables, 415 naiks and constables and 108 constable drivers are being used to provide security to categorised people staying in Maharashtra or visiting the state.

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