SP can provide PSO only for 10 days, DGP/IG for 30 days & beyond that approval of CM will be needed

Jan. 1: Assam Government has adopted a complete new policy towards deployment of Personal Security Officer (PSO). It will only be on the basis of core security review. This was said by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma during a special interactive session with Assam’s esteemed journalists on Saturday at State Guest House, Koinadhora, Guwahati. He added that PSO cannot become a status symbol.

The Chief Minister stated that except the constitutional posts like ministers, chief secretary, additional chief secretary, high court judges, deputy commissioners and other core posts, PSO will not be allotted. PSO’s will only be allowed to those persons who have life threat because of the office he/she holds.

Citing statistics, Dr Sarma said, as of now, Assam Police has to employ 4 battalions only for providing security. A total of 4,240 security personnel have been deployed to provide security to persons in the state. He said that Assam is providing Rs.400 crore only on providing personal security. The CM added that this cannot happen to be continued.

LIVE from a special interactive session with Assam’s esteemed journalists at No. 1 State Guest House, Koinadhora, Guwahati #FBLiveHBS https://t.co/o6GnHljnw1

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 1, 2022

Providing the break-up, the CM stated that at present, there are 2,526 security personnel are engaged with the political leaders, 854 of them are deployed with civil officers, 546 with judicial officers, 167 with businessmen, student leaders, PSUs, 40 with tea estate managers and 52 with former militants. He added that from now onwards there will be a complete change in this and security will be categorised as Z, Y etc.

After the security review, SPs will have the power to provide PSO only for 10 days; DGP, IG, ADG (SB) can give security cover for 30 days. Beyond that, it needs to be approved by the Chief Minister on the basis of a security review committee. He informed that the details of the new policy will be briefed in a press conference by the DGP soon. CM Sarma said that atleast from the existing 4 battalions engaged in providing personal security, the number will be reduced to two battalions. This would be further reduced gradually.