SPG ACT
- The Centre is considering action under the Special Protection Group (SPG) Act against Punjab Police officers following the alleged breach in security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Punjab on Wednesday.
- Sources said this could entail summoning of responsible officers to Delhi or institution of a central level enquiry against them
About the incident
- PM’s cavalcade was stranded on a flyover 30 km from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, Punjab with farmer protesters blocking the road
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had sought a report from the Punjab government calling it a major lapse in the security of the PM
- Punjab government has constituted a high-level committee to probe the incident
Special Protection Group(SPG) Act 1988:
- It was founded in 1985 in response to the recommendations of the Birbal Nath committee report.
- It was administered by an Executive Order from 1985 to 1988
- The SPG Act was enacted in 1988
- The Group is responsible for providing protection to the Prime Minister and his immediate family members under the Act.
- Former Prime Ministers and their immediate families are likewise guaranteed protection for a year after they leave office.
- SPG service can be extended beyond this period depending on the level of threat determined by the union government.
- The threat can be of two types, first it must come from a military or terrorist organisation, and second it must be serious and ongoing
- If the SPG security is withdrawn from a former Prime Minister, it will also be withdrawn from his immediate family members, unless the level of threat faced by the immediate family member warrants such security.
- Section 14: it makes the state government responsible for providing all assistance to the SPG during the PM’s movement
Blue Book of SPG
- It is the rule book for the Special Protection Group
- It has all the guidelines for the protection of the PM.
- State police has to prepare the route in case of adverse situations according to this Book
Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019
- According to the new provisions, SPG would provide protection to the Prime Minister and members of his immediate family staying with him at his official house
- It will also provide protection for any past Prime Ministers and their immediate families who live with him in the house assigned to him.
- This protection will be given for a period of five years after he no longer holds the position of Prime Minister.
- If a former Prime Minister's SPG security is revoked, it will be revoked for his immediate family as well
Mehtab Singh Gill Committee
- It is constituted by the Punjab Government following the security breach in PM’s envoy
- Mr Gill is former acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court
- It also comprises Home secretary of Punjab
- The committee is to produce a report within three days.