Gujarat CM Modi criticises Central Govt. for constituting NCTC

Ahmedabad, Feb 19 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday criticised the Central Government's decision to set up the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) without consulting the State Governments.

Talking to reporters here, Modi said that it has become a habit of the Central Government to impose its authority and act against the sanctity of the federal structure designed by the Constitution.

"For the past few years the UPA government in Delhi has been attacking the federal structure and this could lead to serious problems in the country. The latest initiative that they have taken, without consulting any state government, overnight, empowers the federal government to dismiss the constitutional right of state governments to tackle law and order. This decision of the government is in itself poses a big question," said Modi.

He further advised the Congress party that the report of the Sarkaria commission, set up in June 1983 to examine the relationship and balance of power between state and central governments should be discussed after a joint meeting with all state chiefs.

"We have demanded that the central government should call for a meeting with the chief ministers of all states to implement the recommendations of the Sarkaria commission. For the past 30 years Sarkaria commissions report has been lying untouched, yet to be implemented and till the time the federal government refuses to listen to the plight to the state governments it will lead the country to a major crisis and its responsibility is of the federal government," Modi added.

Several state governments, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which is the second largest in the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government (19 Members of Parliament), joined the chorus against what is being seen as an attempt to infringe upon state's rights.

The main task of the NCTC would be to ensure that the wide variety of security organizations in the country work in tandem, at least on issues related to terrorism.

It will also have the power to seek information, including documents, reports, transcripts, and cyber information from any agency, including from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency, National Technical Research Organization, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and all seven central armed police forces including the National Security Guard (NSG).

The body, which will function under the Intelligence Bureau, has been given its own operational wing with powers to arrest and conduct searches under Section 43A of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. (ANI)