Centre of infringing on federal rights of states: BC Khanduri on NCTC

Accusing the Centre of "infringing" on federal rights of the states, Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri on Sunday opposed the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

"Be it NCTC or any other issue, it is very sad that some of the important decisions are being taken by the Centre unilaterally. The states must be taken into confidence on all important decisions," he said.

Expressing his anguish over Centre for "not sharing" vital information related to NCTC, Khanduri alleged the states were "kept in dark" over the new anti-terror body, scheduled to be operational from March 1.

His comments came after various states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha, took up the cudgels against the proposed move.

Citing the recent example where the army was assured help by the state in carrying out its new projects, Khanduri said the security has to be shared both by the Centre and the states.

"When you decide on the security of the country, you cannot ignore the views of states," he said.

Significantly, at a meeting with top army officials this week, state chief secretary Subhash Kumar had assured all help and early clearances for 23,216 acres of land needed for various projects that include 13 new helipads for maintaining vigil in the strategically-important state which shares vast border with China and Nepal.