Jharkhand Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore has returned all police personnel assigned to his security detail along with the official convoy vehicles provided for their deployment after an additional vehicle requested for security arrangements was not provided. Following the decision, he has been attending government programmes and regional visits without security personnel.
The development came after the minister's request for an additional government vehicle for the movement of personnel assigned to his security detail was not fulfilled.
After withdrawing his security, the Finance Minister attended a public programme at the Khel Gaon Stadium on Friday morning and later visited the Project Bhawan Secretariat. On both occasions, he was seen without any security cover. Senior ministers in the state are ordinarily accompanied by security personnel and official convoy vehicles.
The issue began a few weeks earlier when Radhakrishna Kishore wrote to the Director General of Police (DGP), informing the police chief of practical difficulties in the existing security arrangements.
In his letter, the minister stated that the number of vehicles available for personnel assigned to his security was inadequate, making their movement difficult. He requested that an additional vehicle be provided to facilitate the safe and orderly transportation of the security personnel.
The minister stated in the letter that a total of 16 police personnel had been deployed for his security. According to him, accommodating all 16 personnel in only three government vehicles was neither practical nor appropriate from a security standpoint. He said the arrangement required personnel to travel in limited space, which could affect established security standards. He therefore requested that four vehicles be provided.
The Finance Minister said he had previously corresponded with the authorities on the matter but had not received any formal response. He further stated that he later became aware of an administrative notice directing the return of one vehicle, which he considered inappropriate. According to the minister, after no action was taken on his request for an additional vehicle and he received instructions regarding the return of a vehicle, he decided to return the entire security arrangement.
Following the minister's decision to return the security personnel and official vehicles, the issue has drawn attention in political and administrative circles. No detailed official response has yet been issued by the state government or the police headquarters on the matter.
Security arrangements for ministers holding constitutional office are provided in accordance with their official position and responsibilities. Such arrangements are intended to ensure the security of the office-holder and to help maintain law and order during official programmes, public meetings and official visits. The allocation of security-related resources is carried out through the prescribed administrative process.
The development has also raised questions regarding coordination among government departments. The matter has highlighted the need for timely consideration of practical issues relating to security arrangements when they are formally brought to the attention of the authorities.
Attention is now focused on any response from the state government, police headquarters and the departments concerned. Discussions between the parties could lead to a resolution regarding the security arrangements, while the opposition may also seek a response from the government on the issue.
