Asian Age Correspondent
New Delhi, 6 May 2012. Defending the move to set up a National Counter Terrorism Centre, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said establishing NCTC is not a state versus Centre issue, rather it will work as a vehicle of country’s combined efforts to curb terrorism. He said the new agency NCTC will supplement the counter-terrorism capabilities of the states and not supplant them.
“Terrorism is today one of the most potent threats to our national security. There can be no disagreement on putting an effective counter terrorism regime with efficient mechanism and response systems both at the national level and at the state level,” the Prime Minister said in his inaugural speech at a conference of chief ministers called to discuss NCTC.
Saturday’s meet was called after atleast a dozen chief ministers opposed the setting up of NCTC.
Allaying fears of the chief ministers about disturbing the federal structure, the Prime Minister stressed the government’s intention was in no way to affect the distribution of powers between the states and the Union that the Constitution provides.
“Neither the states nor the Centre can fulfil this task alone. The closest cooperation and coordination is therefore necessary to meet the threats that emanate from within and outside our borders,” he said.
Dr Singh said: “I believe that it is the responsibility of the Centre to give form and shape to a cohesive national approach and strategy based on information gathered globally and from all the states of our Union”.
http://www.asianage.com/india/nctc-not-centre-vs-state-issue-pm-363
