NEW DELHI: Away from the hot and humid weather of the capital, Union Home Ministry held the meeting of its Parliamentary Consultative Committee in the hill resort of Bhimtal near Nainital in Uttaranchal on Tuesday. But the agenda of "Personal Security" generated enough heat to keep the Consultative Committee members engaged in a brain-storming session that was presided over by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

On the table was a proposal of the Home Ministry to streamline and tighten norms for "Personal Security" and make persons, other than VVIPs, Ministers and political leaders with high threat perception, availing of the personal security paraphernalia pay for it. If the Home Ministry proposal is cleared by the Government, it could well turn out to be a case of "Pay for your Security."

If not in full, persons with security cover could be asked to cough up partly the cost incurred on their security.

According to sources in the Ministry, there are nearly 2,010 people who have been provided security cover and of these 114 are in the maximum "Z'' plus category.

As many as 14,400 police and security personnel have been deployed on security duties. Some of the consultative committee members came forward with a number of suggestions on the issue.

The Home Minister assured the MPs of careful consideration of all their suggestions, including creation of a dedicated force for the security of important individuals who face heightened threat to their lives.

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