New Delhi:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today. After her meeting, Ms Banerjee said the proposed NCTC will disturb the federal structure.
" What we have observed is that name of NCTC they can arrest anybody, can operate in any state. This will disturb the federal structure, and that is why all the Chief Ministers are raising their voice," she said.
The Prime Minister, she said, had assured her that the concerns will be looked into and that he had instructed the Home Minister to consult state governments.
Mamata Banerjee is one of the seven chief ministers who are opposing the Home Ministry's proposal to set up the National Counter-Terrorism Centre.
The meeting also discussed the issues of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and "excess flow of water" to Bangladesh through the Farakka barrage.
Here are the highlights of what Ms Banerjee told reporters after the meeting:
- The NCTC issue was an executive order. What was the need to implement a recommendation of a GOM that was given 11 years.
- The Prime Minister said he is concerned and instructed the Home Minister to consult the states.
- We requested him that until the consultations are over, please don't implement the order
- On the Farakka Barrage: We have demanded a high-power enquiry on how water from Farakka was pilfered. It has affected the Haldia port, the state will have no drinking water, electricity. Who will pay for what has happened? PM said he has instructed the Water Resources Ministry to look into it.
- We have not asked for any financial package for West Bengal. We are not here to beg.