The UPA Government’s proposal to have a federal anti-terrorism agency is ready and will be placed before the Cabinet once the new Home Minister P Chidambaram has a look at it.

According to the draft, accessed by 'The Indian Express', the National Security Act, 1980 is proposed to be amended to constitute a National Security Authority that will take charge of administration and supervision of all investigation of terrorism-related crimes across the country. The Authority, which would have a Chairman and five members, would also be responsible for prosecuting the accused.

Each state, under this plan, will have a Security Commissioner — preferably a high-ranking IPS officer — reporting directly to the Authority.

The draft provides for stringent bail provisions, fast-track courts, death penalty, and allows the state to freeze assets and bank accounts of terrorism-accused and their overt and covert sympathisers and sponsors. It also provides for punishment for those found guilty of raising funds or sponsoring terrorist acts, conspiracy, harbouring terrorists or threatening witnesses.

Once the amendments are cleared, the UPA will introduce a Bill in the coming session of Parliament. It has also been indicated that the government could take the ordinance route to get the law in place.

Sources said the Government plans to make changes to the National Security Act, 1980, rather than go for a new law given opposition to the idea of a federal anti-terror agency by most state governments, including many Congress-ruled ones.