Parrikar refuses Z Plus security cover
PTI, PANAJI | 17 March 2012 11:24 IST
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has refused the Z-plus cover recommended to him at a state security review meeting.
He has also decided to either scale down or strip all other ministers of the elite blanket, officials said today.
The security review committee met this week for the first time after Parrikar took over as Chief Minister following his party's victory in the recent Goa assembly elections.
"The Chief Minister flatly refused to take Z-plus security cover stating that there is no threat to his life," a senior official said.
"The CM was of the opinion that he should not be afraid of people who have elected him to the Chair," he added.
Now, Parrikar is left with only 'Y' category security, which entitles him to one police officer sans escort vehicles.
Also, on the recommendation of the Chief minister, the security cover of all other ministers has been downgraded at 'Y', which means they are entitled for minimum required cover. Those ministers with multiple residences can avail security only at two residences.
Similarly, there will be no security for members of legislative assembly and former ministers.
After the security review, the only person left with the Z-plus security would be State Governor K Sankarnarayanan.
Parrikar said that all policemen withdrawn from VVIP duties will be utilised to maintain law and order in the state.
"Police will look after the security of common man on the streets. We will not pamper any VVIP unnecessarily," he told PTI.
The security cover for former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, who is currently a Congress legislator, has also been downgraded from 40 personnel to only two. His son, Vishwajit Rane, a former Health Minister, was also enjoying a 'Z' status, which has now been stripped.
Also, former Home minister Ravi Naik, who was enjoying 'Z' security, will now have only three personnel at his disposal, while former CM Digambar Kamat's elite 'Z' plus cover has been withdrawn, leaving him with only three personnel.
Dear CM,
It will be below a Goan's dignity to touch any of those who enjoyed the Z plus security earlier. Who da heck wanted to touch them?
Whenever they came for a function it looked like they brought in more crowd then the people assembled there.
Shamir Deniz
Parrikar bab does not require additional security. The Goans are his security. It is true that absolute security is required for those who are corrupt and hence scared of their lives; they are the ones who have cheated the Goans and made themselves millionaires.
Well done……
Divert some police force to North Goa beaches…
Manoharbhai,
You dont even need that Y security. You are most secured with us Goans. The security is required for those people who has done something wrong like Ravi, Salcetes Irmao and that ex-Education minister.
dear CM,
Kudos to you. Congratulations for diverting the security from low priority areas to high priority areas. please ensure that this police force is efficiently utilized for safeguarding the citizens of the state.