At the heart of the proposal to enhance the internal security and intelligence apparatus is the December 31, 2008 order defining the role and power of the MAC under the Director, Intelligence Bureau. The order says: “It is necessary and expedient to establish a centre to counter terrorism and terrorist threats and bring under one body all matters relating to gathering, analysis and sharing of intelligence pertaining to terrorism, and devising strategies to vacate the threat.”

The Centre has informed Chief Ministers that subsidiary centres would be opened in all states, and that it is imperative that all data and intelligence inputs are forwarded to it.

The decision to redefine the powers of the MAC, originally set up on the recommendation of the Kargil Committee through a December 6, 2001 order, was taken in view of the agency’s failure to live up to its objectives and expectations. “While a (terrorist) database has been built, other aims of MAC have not been achieved; practically no data related to terrorist activities are received from the Central and state security forces and agencies.”

The Second Administrative Reforms Commission had, in its June 2008 report, recommended that the MAC should be converted into National Centre for Counter-Terrorism.

The agenda paper carries detailed briefs on the Centre’s initiatives on intelligence, preventive measures, human capabilities to counter terrorism, investigation and prosecution, and coastal security.

ON THE AGENDA

• The Centre will urge state governments to make security amongst their top-most priorities and work in a cohesive manner to improve the overall security environment of the country

... contd.