CM opposes NCTC in present format

Addressing a meeting of the chief ministers in New Delhi on Saturday Patnaik said that NCTC is a matter of urgent national importance but it is not acceptable in its present format.

Quoting para-5.1 of the Office Memorandum dated 3.2.2012, Patnaik said the NCTC can assume command over any crisis or situation and act unilaterally without any concern for local sentiments. Such powers would certainly undermine the authority of the state governments and vitiate their federal rights, the CM said.

In the meeting Naveen said there shall be a Standing Council to ensure that the NCTC is the single and effective point of control and coordination of all counter terrorism measures. There is a proposal for formation of focus groups by the Standing Council to deliberate on specific issues and problem areas. For forming such focus groups, there must be stipulation of obtaining concurrence of the concerned state government, Naveen said.

For mattes of specific concern to the state, prior concern of the sate government should be made mandatory and normally they should be taken up on the request of the state government giving due regard to the federal rights of the state. In fact all operations to be taken by the Central forces should be with assistance of the State police force, the CM said.