Mumbai fallout: Govt scales down security of 50 VIPs

NEW DELHI: In the wake of public criticism about "excessive" security for VIPs, the Union home ministry has scaled down the security cover of at least 50 VIPs, including cabinet ministers.

Ministry sources said a through check of all VIPs enjoying protection has been conducted and it was found that they had a cover of security personnel more than their entitlement.

These included at least two cabinet ministers, three union ministers of state, high court judges, parliament members, journalists, former bureaucrats and retired IPS officers, the sources said.

The sources said six personnel were withdrawn from two cabinet ministers who were entitled to "Y" category security.

A former IPS officer, who is enjoying Z-plus category, had to see a cut of over two dozen security personnel.

The security personnel for some journalists, including that of a vernacular daily, were reduced from 169 to 84.

The home ministry is expected to review the security cover of all other VIPs and would scale it down wherever it was not necessary, the sources said.