Special commando unit for Parliament yet to see light of day

NEW DELHI: Almost a year after clearance was given to set up a specialised commando unit for guarding Parliament, the squad is still to see light of day following financial and logistical issues.

The elite team, drawn from the best trained men and women of the CRPF, will be called the Parliament Duty Group (PDG).

The creation of the PDG was mooted in the aftermath of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. The Union Home Ministry had approved the creation of the special unit in April last year to guard the complex which comprises the main Parliament House, reception office building, Sansadiya Gyanpeeth (Parliament library building) and Parliament House Annexe.

Top security sources involved in the raising and deployment of this group said that a host of clearances on the financial and manpower front are yet to be obtained from the both the Finance and Home ministries.

The Parliament House is at present guarded by CRPF and Delhi Police. The 1,540 personnel-strong PDG will comprise those who have undertaken not only commando and tactics training, but also in dealing with nuclear and bio-chemical emergencies.

The unit will function under the operational command of the Additional Secretary (Security) of Parliament House with the overall in-charge being the Director General of CRPF.