The Centre is set to remove SPG category security provided to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
According to MHA sources, "The current security cover review is a periodical and professional exercise based on threat perception that is purely based on the professional assessment by security agencies". Manmohan Singh who was the Prime Minister of the country between 2004-2014 will continue to get Z+ security.
Manmohan Singh's SPG team has been told that security handover to other agency will be taking place. However, it is yet to take place. Former PM's staff confirmed that they have been informed about the decision of the government.
After removal of Manmohan Singh from the list, elite SPG forces will be only providing protection to four people, PM Narendra Modi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi. SPG constituted in 1985 is specially built to provide security to Prime Minister and former Prime Ministers. At that time, former Prime Ministers were automatically provided SPG security for 10 years though the law was amended later. Manmohan Singh's daughters had already relinquished SPG security long back.
Inputs from Manish Shukla
