‘CBDT power to tap phones may be withdrawn’
To curb the misuse of phone-tapping powers and limit it to matters related to national security, the government is considering a proposal made by a committee headed by the Cabinet secretary to withdraw the powers given to the Central Board of Direct Taxes to tap telephones for investigative purposes.
“This issue of whether the CBDT, which came to be authorised in 2006... whether they should be allowed or taken off the list of agencies is a matter that has been left to the ministry of home to take in consultation with the ministry of finance,” Mr Pillai said. “We will shortly take a decision on that.”
Ahead of the home secretary level talks between India and Pakistan to be held on March 28-29, Mr Pillai said, “As of now, Pakistan has not really given us (India) any confidence that they will take the Mumbai attack trials in Pakistan to its logical conclusion,” he said.
However, he stressed that “talks” are the only way forward.
On the recent killings of Pakistani leaders Salmaan Taseer and Shahbaz Bhatti, he said, so far as radicalisation is concerned, “We should be concerned about radicalisation in India too. Pakistan is a neighbour, you have no choice, you cannot walk away. Which is why many civil society interactions are taking place... You have to keep the dialogue open. Whether you like it or not, and some people may not like it. But it is the only way you can influence the other country... By talking.”
On saffron terror, he said, “We need to see that radicalisation of the society does not take place. It is something very limited, but if it spreads, it is a matter of great concern.”
Post new comment