Role of NSA is PM’s privilege: Chidambaram
By IANSMonday, February 1, 2010
NEW DELHI - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday refused to comment on the role of new National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon in internal security affairs, pointing out that it was the prerogative of the prime minister.
“That is for the prime minister to decide. In the (proposed) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), we have not discussed the role of NSA. He advises the government and the prime minister. It is entirely the privilege of the prime minister to entrust him with any responsibility,” the home minister told reporters while presenting the ministry’s monthly report.
Chidambaram was asked if he had redefined the role of Menon following the exit of M.K. Narayanan, who has become West Bengal governor.
Many expected Menon, who was appointed last month, to be looking at a leaner brief but home ministry officials said that he had been attending the internal briefings held by Chidambaram everyday at his North Block office.
The departure of Narayanan, a former Intelligence Bureau chief, from the office of NSA came amidst the home minister’s talk of restructuring the internal security architecture that included setting up of the NCTC by the end of 2010.
