How Safe are our Ministers ?

How Safe are our Ministers ? Every Politician aspires to become Minister in their career ambition. The post brings name, fame and lot many perks. However along with this it brings lot of Security as well. The minister is provided with the security while he is in office, at home and even when he is travelling. However, the security provided while travelling causes lot of inconvenience to the common man. Earlier is 70s and 80s the security cordon was not so much. The ministers could freely interact with the public, shake hands and even accept flowers and garlands. There were instances when minister has waited in the Q of general public waiting for their turn to come. However, these days’ things are different. The Security creates lot of restrictions. Some of the measures are listed below. Public Meetings If the minister is going to attend the public meeting, then his approach to the stage and stage itself is subjected to scrutiny by the Security agencies. Only authorized persons with the background checks are allowed in the area. The sniffer dogs are brought and the area is checked for explosives if any. The distance of audience is away from the speaker so that he does not come under point blank range. When minister is speaking there are security personnel standing behind wearing safari suits and goggles. They are keeping an eye on the crowd. We have seen rallies of the Presidential Elections in the USA. The candidates are quite close to those who have come to attend the meetings. Even that country has the history of 2 Presidents being shot dead. However, we do not see so much distance from the public. Effect on small businesses When the minister is visiting any locality then they close all small shops, vendors and vegetable sellers who are road side. When the minister convoy passes through this road all establishments are closed. It is loss of business for them. The vegetables are perishable items and it is not the case that they can be sold next day. This causes inconvenience to the buyers as well as they cannot buy things from their regular vendor. Stoppage of Traffic When the minister is taking any route on the road the traffic is stopped on both sides. While general public is subjected to traffic snarls due to bad roads, digging for metro/pipe lines/cables etc. They are further inconvenienced as the traffic is stopped and they cannot even move the inch. Vehicles standing in traffic with their engines ‘ON” as it is impossible to sit in the car without AC being ON. This is shear waste of precious fuel. It is also waste of time for the general public, taxi drivers, bus commuters who are prevented from discharging their duties. As such VIP movement should be between 11pm to 5 am Fire Engines/Medical Emergencies Normally for the patient who is taken in the ambulance and Fire tankers on the duty the general public gives them the way. However, when traffic is stopped for the minister it is impossible to give them the way as vehicles are standing bumper to bumper and they are so close that it is not possible to even open the door. Levelling of the Speed Breakers For the movement of VIP, the speed breakers on the road are levelled. This is done so that their convoy can zoom past on the road. Why this luxury is not offered to common man? Many have developed spine problems due to uneven and too many speed breakers. Shakti Pradarshan The new trend which has started is ministers holding public rallies in their constituencies and assembling thousands of people. Why do this? You can address your supporters on the social media. You can sit in your studio or office and put your speech on the You Tube. Those who missed it can see at later date. This will avoid movement of too many vehicles to the ground where rally has been arranged. This would also avoid security risk to the ministers. Meeting Minister If you want to meet the minister it is not easy at all. One has to seek appointment through his PA. First you are advised to contact concern agency. Then if you follow up with letter then the standard reply comes about where that letter has been forwarded. People are so frustrated that they come to Mantralaya and jump from 6th floor. Now they have erected net to prevent such suicides. One thing is certain that the Ministers are not Safe. They surround themselves with the Security Cover. They are aware that this creates wall between them and public and even their own Karyakartas. But then Safety is First.