Govt. will not reduce security given to VIPs, says Venkaiah Naidu

Govt. will not reduce security given to VIPs, says Venkaiah Naidu

The government has no plans to cut back on security to VIPs, Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday said, a day after the Centre banned the use of beacon lights atop all vehicles, except emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire brigade.

"With regard to security, it is necessary in the interest of the country because important people have to be protected. Otherwise, there is no preferential treatment," Mr. Naidu, who holds the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting, told reporters here.

About the Centre's decision to put an end to the VIP culture, he said: "Everybody is a VIP and that is the philosophy of our government."