The NCTC, which is facing stiff opposition from non-Congress chief ministers, will not be operationalised on March 1 as scheduled and the anti-terror body may take its shape only after a meeting of the police chiefs of all states likely to be held here on March 10.

The appointments of the Director and three joint Directors of National Counter Terrorism Centre have also been put on hold after Home Minister P Chidambaram wrote a letter to 10 Chief Ministers where he had assured that the "next steps" on NCTC will be taken only after the meeting of DGPs.

Union Home Secretary will invite Chief Secretaries and Home Commissioners of all states along with the DGPs and heads of anti-terror organisations for a meeting, possibly on March 10, to "discuss in detail the scope and functions of the NCTC", Home Ministry sources said.

As counting of Assembly elections in five states will be held on March 6 and Holi will be celebrated on March 8, the much awaited meeting got delayed.

In his letter, the Home Minister had sought to allay the apprehensions of the Chief Ministers who said empowering NCTC with Section 43 (A) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act would infringe on the state's powers. Section 43(A) of UA(P)A gives an officer power to arrest and search.

Chidambaram said the powers conferred under Section 43(A) of the UA(P) Act must be read with the duty under Section 43 (B) to produce the person or article without unnecessary delay before the nearest police station (which will be under the state government), and the SHO of the police station will take further action in accordance with the provisions of the CrPC.