NCTC recalled, Shinde to look at Centre’s arrest powers

Days after Sushil Kumar Shinde took charge as home minister, with a promise to promote “good relations” with states, his ministry has recalled its proposal to set up the controversial National Counter Terrorism Centre.

Days after Sushil Kumar Shinde took charge as home minister, with a promise to promote “good relations” with states, his ministry has recalled its proposal to set up the controversial National Counter Terrorism Centre.

Government sources said the revised NCTC proposal — reworked after the CMs conference on May 5 — had been sent for the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security.

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It would be put before Shinde for his approval as well.

In a departure from the ministry’s position, Shinde had emphasised the need to engage in talks with the states on NCTC, which ran into trouble over provisions empowering the Centre to make arrests.

“I am open-minded. Let me talk to the states also. I have to talk and get cooperation from all. This country belongs to the states,” Shinde had said.

This was in contrast to the ministry’s stated position that since the Centre had taken the view of the states into consideration, there was no need to hold further consultations.

Government sources said they expected Shinde to push NCTC after removing the irritants that had provoked several states government to oppose it.