The Centre on Wednesday said anti-terror Acts like GUJCOCA, enacted by state governments, should be in line with the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act as there has been a change in government policy.

Minister of state for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said in Rajya Sabha that the assent to the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (The Maharashtra Act No. XXX of 1999) 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 Parliament," he said replying to a written question on the reasons behind refusal to give assent to GUJCOCA, 2003.

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