Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president P S Bajwa would soon get ‘Z’ category security cover, with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs okaying a recommendation from the Protection Review Group and Security Categorisation Committee of the ministry.
The matter was forwarded to the two high-level committees, after central security agencies carried out threat assessment and asked the ministry to upgrade the security cover. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been asked to provide round-the-clock security, which includes deployment of 28 commandos drawn from the special security division of the force.
The CISF is already providing security cover to 37 high risk individuals across the country by involving 1,250 personnel.
“As per the provisions of the Yellow Book, a pilot and an escort vehicle will also be provided for protectees who come under ‘Z’ category. While Bajwa will have ‘Z’ security only in Punjab, Tewari will get protection throughout the country,” sources said.
The security cover to all central and state govt protectees are reviewed periodically. Currently 376 VIPs are covered as central protectees and 83 as local protectees in Delhi.