Cabinet approves Rs.1,1000-cr for setting up NATGRID

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) Thursday approved Rs 1,100 crore for purchasing high-tech equipments to launch the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) - a pack of database comprising information about any individuals containing 21 categories - which will accessible to various intelligence agencies.

The cabinet committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh approved the proposal of Union Home Ministry to purchase certain technological items mentioned in the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Informing to media, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram informed to media that DPR proposal, which was already cleared by CCS in last June, have the proposal of purchasing certain technological items for Horizon-I and some elements of Horizon-II for setting up NATGRID.

The concept of NATGRID originated after 2008 Mumbai Terror attacks. The NATGRID will contain and share information to 11 securities agencies including the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of any individuals regarding railway and air travel, income tax, bank account details, credit card transactions, and records of visa and immigration information.

The CCS had approved the formation of NATGRID on April 8, 2010.