Special Protection Group (Amendment) Act, 2019

Special Protection Group (Amendment) Act, 2019
Emblem of India
Parliament of India
  • An Act further to amend the Special Protection Group Act, 1988.
CitationAct No. 43 of 2019
Considered byParliament of India
Enacted byLok Sabha
Enacted27 November 2019 (2019-11-27)
Enacted byRajya Sabha
Enacted3 December 2019 (2019-12-03)
Assented to9 December 2019 (2019-12-09)
Signed byRam Nath Kovind
President of India
Signed9 December 2019 (2019-12-09)
Legislative history
First chamber: Lok Sabha
Bill citationBill No. CCCLXV of 2019
Introduced byG. Kishan Reddy
Minister of State for Home Affairs(in Lok Sabha)
Amit Shah
Minister of Home Affairs(in Rajya Sabha)
Introduced27 November 2019 (2019-11-27)
First reading27 November 2019 (2019-11-27)
Second reading3 December 2019 (2019-12-03)
Status: In force

Special Protection Group (Amendment) Act, 2019 is an act passed by Indian parliament in 2019 which reduces Special Protection Group cover to only Prime Minister, former Prime Minister and their immediate family members up to 5 years after ceasing post if they are residing at the residence allotted.[1][2][3] The bill amends Special Protection Group Act 1988 which was in application.[4]

Enactment

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Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha, lower house of parliament, on 25 November 2019 by minister of state for home affairs--G. Kishan Reddy.[5][6] It was passed in Lok Sabha on 27 November 2019.[7] On 3 December 2019, bill was introduced to Rajya Sabha by Home minister Amit Shah and was subsequently passed on the same day.[8][9]

It was assented by the President on 9 December 2019 and became an act.[10]

Reaction

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Lok Sabha

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While introducing the bill in Lok Sabha, Reddy said that there was no cut off period in existing act for providing SPG protection to former prime ministers and members of their immediate families.[11]

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, called the bill and move to amend the Special Protection Group Act 1988 as 'Political Vendetta' and alleged that government was trying to target the family which lost two lives for nation.[12] RJD leader Manoj Jha and CPI leader Binoy Viswam also supported the claim.[13]

Amit Shah, Home minister of India, alleged that previous amendments in Special Protection Group Act 1988 were attempts to ensure continued protection for a family.[14] In addition, he alleged that amendments to the act were effected in 1991, 1994, 1999 and 2003 and one more amendment was being brought to revert the original spirit of the act.[15][14]

Rajya Sabha

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B. K. Hariprasad, leader of Indian National Congress, demanded that bill should be withdrawn as it was 'politically motivated'.[13]

Subramanian Swamy, nominated member in Rajya Sabha, said that all are equal before law and 'Gandhis' can't be given special treatment and added that the assassination of Indira Gandhi had nothing to do with lack of security.[16] Naresh Gujral, Shiromani Akali Dal politician and Rajya Sabha member, called that security has over time became a status symbol.[17]

References

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  1. ^ The Gazette of India (PDF). 9 December 2019. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Parliament Highlights: SPG Bill Passed In Rajya Sabha After Congress Walkout". NDTV.com. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Amit Shah to move The Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in Rajya Sabha today | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  4. ^ "The Special Protection Group (Amendment) Bill, 2019". PRSIndia. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  5. ^ Kamaljit Kaur (25 November 2019). "Centre introduces bill to restrict SPG cover to PM, ex-PM and families for 5 years". India Today. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Centre introduces Bill to amend SPG Act in Lok Sabha". The Hindu. 25 November 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  7. ^ Kamaljit Kaur (27 November 2019). "SPG Bill passed in Lok Sabha as Congress MPs stage walkout | Who said what at Parliament debate". India Today. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  8. ^ Kamaljit Kaur (3 December 2019). "Parliament nod to SPG Bill: Amit Shah-Congress spar over security of Gandhis". India Today. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  9. ^ "Parliament Updates: Amit Shah says 'coincidence' when asked about security breach at Priyanka Gandhi's home as RS passes SPG Amendment Bill". Firstpost. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  10. ^ "Special Protection Group (Amendment) Act, 2019 receives President's assent". 10 December 2019.
  11. ^ Delhi, India Today Web Desk New (27 November 2019). "Special means only for PM: Amit Shah begins debate on SPG Bill in Lok Sabha". India Today. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  12. ^ "You're targeting a family that has sacrificed two lives for nation: Chowdhury on SPG (Amendment) Bill". www.aninews.in. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  13. ^ a b Desk, IBT News (3 December 2019). "'Security can't be status symbol': Parliament passes SPG Bill amid walk-out by Congress". International Business Times, India Edition. Retrieved 3 December 2019. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ a b "Lok Sabha passes SPG (Amendment) Bill, Amit Shah says earlier amendments only to ensure continued cover for a family". DNA India. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  15. ^ "Lok Sabha Passes SPG Bill After Congress Walkout Over Amit Shah's Statement on Gandhis". News18. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  16. ^ "Subramanian Swamy hails SPG Bill, says Indira's assassination had nothing to do with 'lack of security'". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  17. ^ "Rajya Sabha passes SPG bill amid walk-out by Congress". www.outlookindia.com/. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
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