Why now? Mamata to PM on NCTC

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today conveyed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that NCTC in its present format disturbs the federal structure. She also questioned the timing of the executive order. “I have told him that the executive order on National Counter-Terrorism Centre is wrong. I have urged him to finish consultation with the states before implementing it,” Banerjee told reporters after meeting the prime minister at his 7 Race Course Road residence in New Delhi. “There should be no confusion between states and the Centre,” she said. [caption id=“attachment_222159” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The West Bengal CM after the meeting. PTI”] [/caption] Expressing surprise at the timing of the NCTC order, she said, “In the prime minister’s letter that I received yesterday it was mentioned that NCTC is framed as per the suggestion of 2001 GoM meeting. I asked the prime minister about the necessity to implement the suggestion after 11 years.” She said NCTC in the present form is dangerous as anyone from any place could be arrested without the knowledge of the state police. Banerjee said the prime minister gave a patient ear to her and assured her that a thorough consultation will take place with the states under the aegis of the home ministry before the actual implementation of NCTC order.