Follow security procedures for Maya, states told

Following complaints from the Uttar Pradesh government, the Centre has asked states to follow the laid down security procedures during the visits of Chief Minister Mayawati outside UP, Union Minister of state for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said on Thursday.

Talking to reporters in Lucknow on the sidelines of a workshop for Pradesh Congress Committee members, Jaiswal said the UP government had complained that in certain states the laid down security procedures were not being followed for the protection of Mayawati.

"We have asked all the states to ensure that the laid down standard security procedure is followed when she visits their area," he added.

To a poser on the state government's persistent demands to provide the chief minister with an Special Protection Group cover, Jaiswal said certain criteria are followed to provide SPG cover to VVIPs.

"We will have to first see the long-term results of amending the SPG Act. SPG was created to provide security to select VVIPs and it cannot be allowed to become a force providing protection to many people," he said.