NCTC, an absolute necessity: Chidambaram

New Delhi, Mar 13: Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday asserted in the Lok Sabha that NCTC was an "absolute necessity" and not an attack on the federal structure and maintained that even states opposed to some provisions of the body support its formation.

Members expressed concern during Question Hour over formation of NCTC in its present form and how it seeks to take away powers of the states thereby attacking the federal structure.

Allaying these fears, Chidambaram said the issue can be debated (in Parliament and outside) and NCTC would come into force after looking into the suggestions of the states.

"I believe the NCTC is an absolute necessity. A number of states have supported its formation .... I do not believe it violates the federal structure," Chidambaram said, adding even states that have expressed concerns support the formation of NCTC with some changes.

The Home Minister said a meeting of Chief Secretaries and DGPs of states was held yesterday to discuss the NCTC issue and a meeting of Chief Ministers - which was postponed earlier due to Assembly elections - will be held on April 16.

Chidambaram denied reports in a newspaper that the Union Home Secretary had asked Chief Secretaries and DGPs in yesterday's meeting not to act like stenographers of their state governments. Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj had raised this issue in the House.

UPA allies TMC and NC have expressed concern over NCTC. TMC member Kalyan Banerjee said in the House that the Centre is trying to encroach upon rights of states and this had been seen in the case of Lokpal and Lokayukta Bill too.

"This type of scheme (NCTC) should not be brought. This scheme should be withdrawn immediately," Banerjee said.

PTI