Home Minister Rajnath Singh promises to lessen NSG’s VIP workload

NEW DELHI: There would be no more addition to the VIP security burden of the elite counter-terror force NSG (National Security Guards), which was raised to provide immediate response to terror attacks, home ministry sources said.

The issue was raised when home minister Rajnath Singh visited the NSG headquarters in Manesar on Tuesday. The minister is learnt to have assured the force that it would be looked into.

NSG has been demanding removal of VIP security from its ambit for long as it dilutes focus on its core area of operation i.e. counter-terrorism. However, given that getting a cover of black cat commandos has become a status symbol among politicians and other VIPs, this decision has never been taken. There are 15 VIPs under the protection of NSG at this moment.

"It would be difficult to remove the NSG security of VIPs who are already enjoying it as it could become a political issue. However, home minister is of the opinion that we can stop at this and not burden the force with anymore VIPs," said a Home Ministry official.

Several top politicians including Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, UP CM Akhilesh Yadav, BSP Supremo Mayawati and Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalitha enjoy NSG security. However, of late government has begun putting all VIPs under CRPF and CISF security. This includes NSA AJit Doval and MoS Home Kiren Rijiju.

During the visit to NSG headquarters in Manesar, Singh also took stock of the force and inaugurated a state-of-the-art diving training facility developed to train the NSG commandos for under-water operations. He also promised the force that procurement of weaponry for the force would be streamlined with removal of all red tape that exists in the system.

To tide over the problem of lack of accommodation for NSG jawans, Singh also announced that force commandoes could now avail of house rent allowance upto 30% of their basic instead of 10% that is usually earmarked.

Singh also witnessed a demonstration on various skills of NSG commandos and complimented them. The Home Minister said the nation was extremely proud of the NSG and underlined the importance of the force in maintaining national security.

"The NSG gives a sense of security and confidence to the people," he said. "Visiting NSG gave me an opportunity to meet officers and jawans and also to witness the demonstration of their skills. I am thrilled. NSG as an organisation instills a sense of security and confidence in the minds of the countrymen. We are proud of this organisation," he wrote in the visitors' book.