The Centre on Wednesday justified the refusal for giving Presidential assent to the Gujarat Control of Organised Crime (GUJCOC) Bill, vigorously pursued by Chief Minister Narendra Modi on the ground that it was not in line with its new legislation dealing with terrorism.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said that there has been a change in Centre's policy since the enactment of the Bill in 2003 and that such anti-terror bills brought by state governments should be in line with the new Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act.

Ramachandran told the Rajya Sabha that the assent to the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) was given on April 24, 1999 presumably in accordance with the then policy of the government.

"Subsequently, there has been a change in the policy of the Central government and it is of the opinion that all subsequent state Acts should be in line with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2008, as approved by the Parliament," he said replying to a written question on the reasons behind refusal to give assent to GUJCOC.

The Centre has also advised amendments to the Gujarat government in this regard.

Modi has often attacked the Centre for the delay in GUJCOC getting the Presidential assent despite an almost similar law being passed in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra.

"The Gujarat Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2003 has been returned to the Governor of Gujarat on June 25, 2009 together with President's message dated June 24, 2009 to the Legislature of Gujarat to reconsider it,” Ramachandran said.