Why in news?
The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has signed an MoU with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to access the centralised online database on FIRs and stolen vehicles.
About NATGRID
- NATGRID initially started in 2009 is an online database for collating scattered pieces of information and putting them together on one platform.
- It links at least 10 Central government Intelligence and investigation agencies, such as the Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing and others have access to the data on a secured platform.
- NATGRID is exempted from the Right to Information Act, 2005 under sub-section (2) of Section 24.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
- The NCRB is a government agency responsible for collecting and analysing crime data
- NCRB is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- NCRB was set-up in 1986 to function as a repository of information on crime and criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators.
Uses of NATGRID
- The NATGRID enables multiple security and intelligence agencies to access a database related to immigration entry and exit, banking and telephone details, among others, from a common platform.
- The 10 user agencies will be linked independently with certain databases which will be procured from 21 providing organisations including telecom, tax records, bank, immigration etc. to generate intelligence inputs.
Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS)
- The CCTNS is a project for creating a comprehensive and integrated system for effective policing through e-Governance.
- The concept was first conceived in the year 2008 by the then Home Minister in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
- The system includes a nationwide online tracking system by integrating more than 14,000 police stations across the country.
- The project is implemented by NCRB.
