Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill 2019

Context

• SPG (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha.
• The Bill Amends the SPG Act, 1988.
• The act provides for the constitution and regulation of the SPG to provide security to the PM, former PM and their family members.

About SPG (Amendment) Bill, 2019

• SPG will now protect only the prime minister, and members of his family residing with him at the official residence.
• It will also provide security to former PMs and their family members staying with them at the residence allocated for a period of five years from the date on which they cease to hold office.
• if the SPG security is withdrawn from a former PM, it will also be Withdrawn from his family members.

Background

• Based on the recommendations of the Birbal Nath committee report, SPG came into existence in 1985.
• From 1985 to 1988, the SPG act came into existence to provide security to PM and his/her family members.
• Under this act, the SPG provides security to PM and his family members.
• SPG doesn't provide only physical security, but it takes care of the protection of PM's office, his/her communication system, foreign tours and issues pertaining to his/her health and well being.
• It also provides security to former PM and their family members for a period of one year from the date on which they ceased to hold the office. beyond this period, SPG security is provided based on the level of threat as decided by the central govt.
• The threat must:
• emanate from a military or terrorist organization
• be of a grave and continuing nature.

• About SPG
• A special force, provides proximate security to PM, former PM and their immediate family members.
• Formed in 1988, by an act of parliament
• Motto: Bravery, Dedication, Security.
• Agency Executive: Arun Kumar Sinha, Director, SPG.