Punjab spends Rs 15.69 crore for security to VIPs

Punjab government spends Rs 15.69 crore per month for providing security to VIPs who include 65 persons facing criminal charges, the Supreme Court was told.
Appearing before a bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi, senior advocate Harish Salve, who is assisting the court as amicus, placed data on the security cover given by different state governments to public functionaries and private individuals.
The data was prepared on the basis of the state government's affidavit.
"Total expenditure is Rs 15.69 crore per month plus the expenditure incurred on 20 sections of CRPF and 4 sections of CISF. 1294 public functionaries and private individuals have been provided security. 25 persons who are children and family members have been provided such security," he said while referring to Punjab.

In the list, the number of persons facing criminal charges is 65, including 6 MLAs. Some of them are former MLAs facing charges under section 307 (attempt to murder), he said.
36 religious leaders, 19 media persons and 75 people categorised as others have also been provided security.