Finding that a number of persons were enjoying VIP security without any justification, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has sought a review to scale down the facility extended to them.
The review is being carried out by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, who has been given a list of over 100 VIPs, including former Ministers Shivraj Patil, Natwar Singh and Jagmohan who have been given such protection.
In some of the cases, it was observed that VIPs were enjoying state security more as a status symbol and not because of any threat.
Chidambaram, who has refused to take any security, is believed to be of the opinion that security should be provided only to those who face credible threats and those holding Constitutional posts.
The expenditure due to the VIP security was also a constant worry to the budget of the Ministry, the sources said.
