Now, select people to receive VVIPs

Nagpur: Who should remain present at the airport tarmac to receive a VVIP and who should not? Government and police officials met last week to find a solution to this politically sensitive issue and decided to draw up a fresh list of persons who would be authorised to welcome guests at the tarmac.
The state government has certain protocol guidelines and as per tradition the district collector, police commissioner or superintendent remain present at the airports to receive and see off dignitaries like prime minister, president and the state chief minister. The local MP and the guardian minister too remain present.
However, these norms were being flouted and even sundry politicians managed to make way right up to the airport tarmac.
Last week, guardian minister Satish Chaturvedi convened a meeting of police, revenue and airport officials to discuss the issue. Sources said it was decided to frame a new list of persons — bureaucrats, senior police officials and elected representatives — who can go up to the aircraft to receive the VVIP. It was decided that the list will be sent to the state government for its approval, a source added.
10/09/07 Aneesh Phadnis/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Sep 2007, Safety Sep 2007