PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday asked the Centre to re-examine and roll back the proposal to set up the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, terming the decision as “unilateral and hasty” which would encroach upon the rights of the states.
Talking to reporters after sending a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing the decision, Kumar said that policing was a “state subject” and that the decision had created “a confusing situation and atmosphere”. “We all are together in the fight against terrorism. The states have always cooperated with the Centre. What has then warranted setting up such centres?” he asked.
In the letter to the Prime Minister, Kumar asked Singh to re-examine the issue and ensure that the order was suitably modified to take care of the states’ genuine concerns.
He said the states should have been consulted if there had been the necessity for opening such centres.
“The makers of our Constitution have very clearly mentioned about the rights and responsibilities of the states. It will not be judicious to transgress the limitations in the Constitution,” he said asking the Centre to explain as to whether there was any state in the country which had not cooperated in tackling terrorism.
His letter said the federal structure of the country should be respected at all costs. “The new order defining the functions and powers of NCTC has to come into force with effect from March 1, 2012 and we are aware that chief ministers of several states have also written to you against the unilateral and hasty decision of MHA to create NCTC without consulting the state governments.
“Won’t you agree with the suggestion that the government of India must re-examine the whole issue and ensure that the order is suitably modified to take care of the states’ genuine concerns?” Kumar said. In the letter, Kumar pointed out, “We have come to know about the creation of NCTC vide Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) O.M. dated February 3, 2012 which inter alia, contains provisions giving powers of arrest and search to officials of the operations division of the NCTC.” (PTI)