Government to set up Federal Investigating Agency, says Sibal

New Delhi, Dec 4 : Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal today said that the Central Government is committed to setting up of a Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) to ensure country's security.

Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting here, Sibal said, "It will be done. This is our commitment. Security is a matter of national concern. It is something that the government wants to convey to the people of this country that we will do all that we can to ensure that future safety is not jeopardized."

According to reports, the government is considering a legislation to set up a Federal Investigating Agency to probe cases of terror and other "federal crimes" following Mumbai terror attacks.

The Bill could be introduced in the coming session of Parliament beginning on December 10.

Official sources said that while BJP wants the government to bring back Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) as a condition to support FIA, left parties and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) want the states to be on board.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had on November 30 announced that a Federal Investigation Agency will be set up and the legal frame work of the country will be strengthened further in the country.

"We will pursue the setting up of a Federal Investigating Agency within a time-frame," he said.

ANI