'Centre didn't consult states before creating NIA'

The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday lamented that the Centre did not consult the state governments before setting up the National Investigation Agency.

UP Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma on Tuesday said the states should have been consulted 'appropriately' before setting up the NIA.

Addressing the Chief Ministers' meeting on internal security in New Delhi on behalf of Chief Minister Mayawati, who could not attend the crucial meet, Verma lamented that though the Sashastra Seema Bal has been deployed along the 600-km long porous UP-Nepal border, the 'results have not been satisfactory'.

"As the border is porous, criminals often commit crimes in India and slip into Nepal through the border. In a bid to provide fast and smooth movement to SSB personnel, the UP government has forwarded a Rs 1,503 crore project to the Centre for approval," he said.

The minister lamented that the Centre had reduced the state's financial assistance to modernise police force.

"In 2000-01, UP received Rs 248 crore. But it was reduced to Rs 142 crore in 2008-09," he said.

He also demanded amendment of section 41 of the CrPC (which deals with arrest without warrant) citing 'practical difficulties' and said such amendments were necessary. He, however, did not explain the difficulties.

Describing the achievements of the state government in combating terror, he said the intelligence set up in the state has been revamped and a separate intelligence cadre has been set up.

"The officials of the cadre would be provided with best training," he said.

Uttar Pradesh also has plans to establish a commando unit comprising of 2,000 personnel on the lines of NSG.

Verma informed that a standard operating procedure has been readied after the Mumbai terror strikes to deal with contingency situations.