Stage is set for a more modest national centre for counter-terrorism

The committee has suggested against giving NCTC enforcement powers,which would place forces under its command to carry out anti-terror operations anywhere. Instead,the recommendation is that anti-terror cells in all states will be the nodal point for any such operation. Also,the National Intelligence Grid will come under the NCTC.

The initial note prepared by the home ministry provided for NCTC to be able to carry out operations to pre-empt,contain and respond to any terror strike. The argument was that opportunities to strike against a terror module present themselves suddenly and with little time in hand,obtaining clearances and approvals could be detrimental to the effort. This would have involved bringing a bill for the NCTC as was done with for the National Investigation Agency but sources said it was agreed that the political environment was not conducive to usher in a bill that would require the states ceding authority.

Maoist violence wont be part of NCTCs mandate. The Multi-Agency Centre,set up after the Mumbai attacks,will be integrated into the NCTC.