Big B's security cover reduced: Patil

Mumbai: Superstar Amitabh Bachchan's security cover has been reduced but not downgraded, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil said on Tuesday.

"A high-powered committee, headed by the state Chief Secretary, recently reviewed the security cover given to VIPs and accordingly, there has been a reduction in the security cover of the actor," Patil explained.

Currently, Bachchan is being provided X-category security cover.

"This is the same security cover which he gets in other parts of the country," Patil, who holds the Home portfolio, said.

Reducing the security cover of some VIPs, based on threat perceptions, would make more policemen available for routine jobs, Patil said.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh recently blamed Patil and NCP chief Sharad Pawar for reducing the security cover for Bachchan and Samajwadi Party MP Abu Asim Azmi.

"Bachchan enjoyed X-category security earlier and that continues even now," Patil said.