GUWAHATI: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Special Protection Group (SPG) protection has been withdrawn, but he will continue to get the Z plus security.
The former Prime Minister’s SPG protection was withdrawn following a review by multiple security agencies, as per reports. The SPG contingent will be withdrawn from his New Delhi residence after one of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) takes over the responsibility.
"The current security cover review is a periodical and professional exercise based on threat perception that is purely based on professional assessment by security agencies. Dr. Manmohan Singh continues to have Z+ security cover," a home ministry spokesperson said.
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With the removal of Singh's SPG cover, the top notch security cover will now be given only to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Gandhi family -- Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her children, Rahul and Priyanka.
According to procedures laid down by the SPG Act, 1988, Singh was entitled to SPG cover for one year after he demitted office in 2014.
His SPG security cover was renewed annually after a review of the threats faced by him and his wife Gursharan Kaur.
Singh's daughters, who were also given SPG cover, gave up the protection voluntarily in 2014.
(Inputs: PTI)