Threat to PM at all-time high, even ministers need clearance to meet him
NEW DELHI: Sending out a warning to states about an "all-time high" threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the home ministry has put out rules in which no one can come too close to PM Modi, not even ministers and officers, if not cleared by his special security. The home ministry has written to all state police chiefs about an "unknown threat" to the PM.
PM Modi "is the most valuable target in the run-up to the 2019 general elections," the National Security Council has told various agencies tasked with the Prime Minister's safety.
"The threat always has been there but after this Naxal threat we have made each agency aware of the new threats to the PM," a senior officer told NDTV, referring to the Pune police claim that a plot to assassinate PM Modi in a "Rajiv Gandhi-type incident" during one of his roadshows had been revealed in a letter seized from a suspected Maoist.
Sources say PM Modi, who is the main campaigner for the ruling BJP in the lead-up to state elections and the 2019 polls, has been advised to cut down on road shows as planned routes present a bigger threat.
No one is allowed to be in close quarters with the PM, which is the basic rule to be followed strictly, according to top sources.
Even ministers and officers are likely to be screened by the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is in charge of protecting the Prime Minister.
"We have briefed our personnel about the new assessments and have given them a new set of rules to be followed," explained an officer, conceding, however, that the SPG rule book and arrangements have been fool-proof for more than 25 years now.
"Special instructions have been given to the close protection team (CPT) around the PM. No one can be in close proximity of the PM if not needed," he adds. This team always moves with the Prime Minister.
Public contact needs to be reduced further, believes the home ministry.
Last month, a man was able to break through six layers of security to touch PM Modi's feet in West Bengal. Sources say the number of tactical team commandos travelling with the PM will be increased.
"We can't give him instructions but we have requested him to be little careful regarding his public engagements," says the officer.
This may be a tough call in the run-up to 2019 as PM Modi is expected to address several rallies.
The home ministry has also marked areas of concern and has asked Maoist-hit states to be more careful. "The PM travels to Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal even Punjab. These are to be taken more seriously than others," adds a source.
Security agencies are believed to be specially monitoring the Kerala-based Popular Front of India (PFI), an outfit that the government believes is a front for terror groups.
courtesy : ndtv.com
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Solid waste management: SC flags complete failure in implementing 2016 Rules in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court has flagged the "complete failure" of agencies in implementing the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the national capital and directed the chief secretary of the Delhi government to call a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the issue.
The apex court observed it is a matter of immense importance that the 2016 Rules are implemented in their true letter and spirit in the capital city.
"If we find that all other authorities do not come together and tell us the time-bound schedule for implementation of the 2016 Rules, the court may have to consider of passing harsh orders," a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said in its order passed on November 11.
The bench said, "We direct the chief secretary of the Delhi Government to call a meeting of all the stakeholders, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, to discuss the issue of implementation of the 2016 Rules".
It said all stakeholders must come together and file a common report before the court laying down the time-lines for reporting compliance with the provisions of the 2016 Rules.
The apex court said the exercise of holding a meeting and coming out with a common response shall be completed by December 13.
"As we have been noticing in other cases also, the 2016 Rules have remained on paper. If in the territory of NCT of Delhi, there is a complete failure to implement the 2016 rules, one can imagine what must be happening in cities in other parts of the country," the bench said.
It noted that on one hand, there was no implementation of the 2016 rules due to which garbage or solid waste was being illegally stored in landfill sites which were prone to fires and, on the other hand, a large number of construction activities were going on which adds to generation of solid and construction wastes.
"The Delhi government must come out with the figures for the daily generation of solid waste in the city while submitting the report," it said.
The bench authorised the special secretary of the Delhi government's environment department to call officers concerned of the Centre for the meeting, if the involvement of any department of the Centre was required in the implementation of the 2016 Rules.
"If the special secretary finds that any of the stakeholders are not cooperating, we permit him to move an application to this court to seek directions," the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on December 16.
The issue of solid waste management in Delhi-NCR has cropped up before the apex court which is hearing a matter related to pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) had on October 18 told the apex court that by 2026, it will exceed its capacity of processing 11,000 tonnes of solid waste generated daily in the national capital.
On July 26, the top court had expressed its concern over the poor implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules in the national capital and observed that over 3,000 tonnes of untreated solid waste per day in Delhi could lead to a "public health emergency".
The apex court had slammed the MCD over the "sorry state of affairs" and said that the national capital generates over 11,000 tonnes of solid waste per day, while the daily capacity of processing plants was only 8,073 tonnes
