Budget allocation for PM's special security increased to ₹600 crore

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled Union Budget for 2020 on Saturday (February 1) which increased allocation for the Special Protection Group (SPG) from ₹540 crore to approximately ₹600 crore.

2019 Budget too saw a rise in the allocation for the SPG from ₹420 crore to around ₹540 crore.

The SPG provides security only for the Prime Minister. Earlier in November last year, the SPG cover for Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was withdrawn. Reports claim that the Gandhi family had violated numerous security protocols.

The VVIP security for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was withdrawn in August. It was also withdrawn from two other former Prime Ministers HD Deve Gowda and VP Singh.

The SPG Act was enacted by Parliament in 1985 after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. The elite force was created as the innermost ring that protects the VVIPs.

Also read | Change in SPG rule brings Gandhis under govt surveillance; Cong cries foul