SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP [SPG].

The Special Protection Group (SPG) was raised in 1985 with the intention to provide proximate security cover to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members.

SPG officers are ingrained in high leadership qualities, professionalism, knowledge of proximate security and inculcate the culture of leading from the front.

SPG has strived to achieve this by adopting innovative methods not only in its own working, but also in the overall security arrangements in collaboration with the IB and State/ UT police forces.

It is because of the high leadership qualities, professionalism and knowledge of its officers that SPG ensures fail proof and zero-error security for its Protectees.

The motto of the SPG is “Bravery, Dedication, Security”.

THE SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2019.

• The proposed amendments in the Special Protection Group (SPG) Bill aims to reduce the financial burden of VIP security on the state exchequer.

• The reduction of SPG coverage will also help to eliminate the notion of a status symbol attached to it.

REDUCED SPG COVERAGE:

• The protection to be offered only to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members that will reside with him at his official residence.

• Currently, the security cover is provided to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members.

TIME PERIOD:

• The security will be provided only for a period of five years to the former Prime Ministers and their immediate family after they leave the office.

• However, the immediate family members need to be residing with the former Prime Minister at the allotted residence.

BACKGROUND OF THE SPECIAL PROTECTION GROUP (SPG) ACT, 1988

Below is the timeline behind the enactment of the SPG Act 1988:

Prior to 1981

From the time of independence till the year 1981, the Special Security District of the Delhi Police was responsible for providing security to the Prime Minister.

1981 – 1984

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) created a Special Task Force, entrusted with the responsibility to provide road escorts and transportation security to the PM while he is travelling in and out of New Delhi.

It is the year 1984 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her bodyguards from the Delhi Police, which resulted in further changes in the Security arrangement of the PM.

1984 -1985

A temporary short time measure was adopted and the responsibility of the PM’s protection was given to an exclusive unit under the direct control of the STF.

The Birbal Nath Committee was set up in 1985 which submitted its report the same year recommending the creation of a Special Protection Unit (SPU) as an independent agency for the sole purpose of prime ministerial protection.

1985 -1988

An executive order was passed by the then President of India in the year 1985 for the creation of the unit under the Cabinet Secretariat, which was renamed to Special Protection Group.

Amendments were made to the “Blue Book”, an existing manual for PM’s protection, to include new proximate protection protocols.

In the year 1988,

a law was passed giving statutory status to the SPG by the Special Protection Group Act.

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Since inception of SPG, the saga of bravery is very well established. SPG officers have been so far awarded by 01 Shaurya Chakra, 43 President's Police Medals for distinguished Service and 334 Police Medals for Meritorious Service.

• SPG also has the honour of its first Director being awarded the Padma Shri. However, SPG is no longer satisfied with being the best in the country and is aspiring beyond the national boundaries and has entered into a new phase in its evolution.

• One could say with an element of confidence that the SPG ranks amongst the best organizations of its genre worldwide. SPG officers are trained to offer, if necessary, the supreme sacrifice to ensure that the sacred task assigned to the organization by the Government is fulfilled at all costs. SPG has completed 37 years of glorious history.

THANKYOU AND ALL THE BEST...