One angry Minister prompts Govt to look at expanding the VIP list — again

It’s looking at the possibility of expanding the list of VIPs exempted from pre-embarkation checks to now include Ministers of State. There are 45 such ministers in the Union Government. The last time the list (see chart) was amended was in 2005 when Robert Vadra’s name was added to it — the only individual mentioned by name in the list.

As The Sunday Express had reported on April 29, Sharma, on his way to attend a Hindi conference in New York on April 20, was asked by CISF officials to go through the routine drill — immigration and security checks — just like any other passenger. Sharma is said to have insisted on using the special passage meant for VIPs on the list of 23 categories of individuals exempt from such checks.

Incidentally, this list also applies to the use of the ceremonial (read VIP) lounge at Delhi airport. The Protocol Division of the MEA, which controls access to this lounge, reports to Sharma. As a result, he has had little problem using this facility. But with the arrest of BJP MP Babulal Katara, the CISF has become strict and that’s why it decided to put its foot down to say No to the Minister — without much luck.

Left with no choice, the officials stamped his documents and delivered it to him at the boarding gate. The CISF officially raised the matter with the Cabinet Secretariat, Home Ministry and the Civil Aviation.

Soon after the report appeared in The Sunday Express, Sharma is said to have met Home Minister Shivraj Patil. “An issue has been raised and we are looking into the matter. Any decision will be taken after consultations with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security,” Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta told The Indian Express when asked whether the VIP list was being expanded.

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