Jashodaben herself had filed an RTI before Mehsana Police on November 24, 2014, seeking several documents related to the security cover given to her as per the protocol; but she was denied any information.
Afroz Alam Sahil for BeyondHeadlines
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s wife Jashodaben has been given top security 24×7 but the authorities have no data about how much money is being spent on the security arrangements.
In a reply to RTI, The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the spouse of the Prime Minister is provided security as per the provision of the SPG Act. On money spend on security arrangements, however, it said, “No record/information as sought by you in maintained with this CPIO.”
On the facilities and services provided to the spouse of the Prime Minister, it said, “Salary and Allowance for ministers Act 1952 and rules 1957, which is available on the website of Home Ministry.”
RTI filed by BeyondHeadlines had asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide the details of rules and regulation regarding facilities, services and security provided to the spouse of PM, Narendra Modi, and also the details of total money spend annually under different scheme for providing the services to PM’s wives from 2000 to 2015.
BeyondHeadlines had also asked the Ministry to provide the copies of directions, letters written to respective ministries department and state government regarding faculties, services and security to the spouses of PM from January 2014 to till date. The Ministry did not respond to the query.
The Home Ministry, however, said that as regards other facilities provided to the spouse of the Prime Minister, copies of letter may be available with the cabinet secretariat. The Ministry said that a copy of the RTI application was transferred to the Secretariat but a reply is still awaited.
The SPG Act, which was enacted in 1988, provides security to the Prime Minister and the members of his immediate family. For Jashodaben’s security, Mehsana Police has deployed 10 policemen, including armed guards to work in two shifts. According to media reports, she expressed unhappiness as she travels in public transport while the security guards follow her in cars.
Jashodaben herself had filed an RTI before Mehsana Police on November 24, 2014, seeking several documents related to the security cover given to her as per the protocol. She had also asked for the certified copy of actual order passed by government about providing security.
Jashodaben, a retired school teacher, lives with her brother Ashok Modi at Unjha town of Mehsana district. She has been given security by Mehsana Police since Modi was sworn as Prime Minister on May 26. Modi and Jashodaben were married in 1968 when they were both teenagers.
