CISF to replace commandos for VIPs146; protection

A Ministry of Home Affairs MHA proposal that the CISF raise an exclusive force for VIP security has been cleared in principle by the Finance Ministry.

8220;We have cleared the MHA proposal in the preliminary assessment and the proposal, with the Finance Ministry seal, will be handed over to MHA by Tuesday,8217;8217; said Finance Secretary Adarsh Kishore. Referring to the MHA proposal, Kishore said: 8220;We had two important issues to address in this proposal. First, there should not be any duplication of responsibility. And second, the force created for VIP security should be optimal.8217;8217;

The MHA had proposed to raise an exclusive CISF force of 3,000 securitymen for the VIPs. But the Finance Ministry advised the MHA to take over VIP security in two phases, given the financial implications. The MHA, the Finance Ministry said, should raise a force of 1,300 securitymen under CISF in the first phase.

With the MHA ready to go by the Finance Ministry8217;s recommendation, the CISF plans to take over the security of 100 VIPs in the first phase.

8220;The CISF is already providing security to 20 VIPs,8217;8217; CISF Director General S I S Ahmed told The Indian Express.

NSG commandos presently on VIP security duty have been drawn from different paramilitary organizations like the ITBP, CRPF and BSF. MHA sources said that the CISF will initially be taking NSG help to train personnel for security duties.