Centre provides security to 257 persons

NEW DELHI: As many as 257 persons are being provided security by the central government on the basis of their threat assessment, Lok Sabha was told today.

"At present, there are 257 protectees in the central list under different categories. There is no fixed number of persons, other than VVIPs, Union Cabinet and other ministers, to whom security is provided," Minister of State for Home, Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary, said in a written reply.

Security is provided on the basis of threat assessment of individuals by security agencies and the category of security (Z+, Z, Y and X) is decided on the basis of the nature and gravity of the threat, the minister said.

The security arrangements of the central protectees was last reviewed at a meeting held on September 10, 2015. Among the 257 central protectees, 34 are Z+, 66 in Z and 109 in Y category. The remaining 48 have been accorded X category cover.