Odishatv Bureau
New Delhi: Opposing amendments to the BSF Act, some state Chief Ministers today demanded that discussions on the issue should be deferred and taken up along with the National Counter Terrorism Centre on May 5 as it also disturbs the federal structure of the country.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said since the proposed amendments to the BSF Act 1968 were against the laid down principles of a federal structure, discussions on it should not be held today and deferred. He said the discussion should be taken up along with the NCTC issue on May 5.

It is learnt that during the pre-lunch session of the Chief Ministers` meet on internal security, some other CMs also opposed the proposed amendments to act which governs the functioning of the paramilitary force.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Centre for its "non-consultative" approach with state governments on key security issues and said the UPA government was creating "state within state" by amending RPF Act, BSF Act which take away powers from state police and meddling with subjects under the state list.

On Saturday last, Modi had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing Centre`s proposed move to amend the Border Security Force Act to give wide powers to the paramilitary force to arrest and search anybody in any part of the country.

During the first part of the Budget Session, the BSF (Amendment) Bill was deferred in the Rajya Sabha after the Opposition and outside supporters of UPA - SP and BSP - flagged some `federal issues` and insisted that the bill be brought after the chief ministers` meeting on internal security (being held today).

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