The Centre on Thursday refused to provide a Special Protection Group security cover to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, but said that the level of protection provided to her could be raised.
"Under the current provisions, only prime minister and former prime ministers qualify for the Special Protection Group cover. No chief minister or eminent person can get this type of security. So how can SPG security be provided to Mayawati?" Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal asked.
"However the category under which she is provided security can be upgraded," he said.
Replying to a question on the possibility of Centre showing some flexibility in her case, Jaiswal said, "There is a committee which decides on such issues. If it becomes lenient in this case, the other CMs will also demand a similar SPG cover."
Jaiswal also rejected the argument that Mayawati needed the SPG cover as she frequently travelled across the country.
"She can take as many state police personnel and commandos as required whenever and wherever she goes. The Centre will have no objection to that," he added.
