In an indication that embattled Home Minister Shivraj Patil may not be axed at least for now, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday night rallied behind him and approved 'comprehensive' anti-terrorism measures though his ministry came under attack for its handling of internal security.
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The three-hour special meeting of the Union Cabinet convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the situation arising out of a spate of terror attacks in the Country, especially the serial blasts in Delhi.
The Cabinet decided on steps to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance policing capacities and modernise police forces to effectively deal with terrorism.
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Sources said there was criticism of the functioning of the Home Ministry though the attack was not personally directed against Patil. It was felt that there should be no 'knee-jerk reaction' to the Opposition's political attack and demands, a stand interpreted as no immediate threat to Patil.
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The widely speculated issue of creating a new post of Internal Security Minister was not discussed at the meeting. Sources said such a possibility was not expected to be discussed in a Cabinet meeting as any such decision would be taken at the political level.
"The Union Cabinet was briefed by Home Minister Shivraj Patil. He has suggested measures. Those measures have been approved by the Cabinet," Mukherjee said without elaborating.