Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday highlighted the issue of internal security and asked states to share intelligence inputs to help the country stay "alert" and "updated", reported PTI. "With close cooperation, we will not only strengthen Centre-state relations but make a better future for the citizens," the prime minister said while addressing the 11th inter-state council meeting in Delhi. Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj were present at the meeting, which was held after 10 years.
The matter of internal security gains importance in the backdrop of the ongoing Kashmir crisis. Modi thanked the states for increasing their contributions in tax collection and said it was a matter of joy that they had collected 21% more funds as compared to last year, reported The Indian Express.
Later in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said states were not consulted regarding the agenda of the meeting beforehand. She also asserted that law and order was a state subject and the Centre interfering in it was not right, ANI reported. "There is no platform for states to express their opinion," Banerjee added.
Among other matters discussed, the prime minister spoke about education, modernisation of the police force and the success of Aadhaar. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti could not attend the meeting.
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