State not keen to reduce size of 66-member security council

The court during the last hearing had expressed dissatisfaction over the size of the SSC. Commenting that it would be a “joke” the court opined that such a huge council would be “unmanageable” and asked the government to cut down on the number of members.

Zutshi stated that since the council consisted of 66 members,a decision was taken to create sub groups and by an order dated February 6,2009,six sub groups (see box) headed by a convener were created.

“According to the state government,there is no difficulty in holding the meeting of the SSC consisting of 66 members and take decisions pursuant to the recommendations of the council,” the affidavit states.

As part of post terror upgradation of the police force,Zutshi stated that 309 police personnel who will be part of Force 1 will be available on field from August,2009 after their five-month training programme.

Zutshi has informed the court that the government has set up Mumbai coastal police stations and is also in the process of creating State Industrial Security Force on the lines of CISF.

Division bench of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice D Y Chandrachud however were not satisfied with the affidavit and sought a detailed affidavit within two weeks explaining the progress that the government has made based on the SSC recommendations.

The court also sought a reply within two weeks as to how the recommendations of the council have been implemented so far.

The court was hearing PILs filed by Indian Society of Law Firms and others regarding the terror attack. The court asked the state government about what preventive steps had been taken in the aftermath of the attack. The court had also sought to know if action had been taken against any officers for negligence of duty. Zutshi has stated that a two-member committee is enquiring into the incident and identifying the lapses. The committee will be submitting its report to the government on April 18.