Summary:
The SC had said, "Why security is given to those who are not in power and against whom cases are pending?" But ground realities, at least in Rajasthan, tell a different story. Jaipur: The Union government may have banned red beacons atop cars of ministers, politicians and bureaucrats from May 1 in an attempt to end privileges often seen as status symbols. Earlier, cop-VIP ratio was around 4:1.In 2013, the Supreme Court had directed the state governments to furnish details of number of police personnel deployed for protection of politicians and VIPs amid a national debate on why VIPs enjoy lavish security while a common man's grievances are hardly addressed.The apex court, in its order, had said, "Why security is given to those who are not in power and against whom cases are pending? "The BPR&D data shows a huge shortage of policemen for ordinary citizens while three cops are guarding each VIP.Even in the country, out of a total 19.26 lakh police officers, 56,944 are deployed just for the safety of 20,828 VIPs across 29 states and six Union territories.In Rajasthan, there are a total of 89,500 policemen, out of which 1,541 cops are deployed for the security of 471 protected persons (PP) which include ministers, MPs, MLAs, judges, bureaucrats etc.The state police department makes its own rules and uses cops to provide personal security..