Delhi govt orders PWD Principal Secy to bring proposal for CCTV cameras

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has ordered Public Works Department's Principal Secretary to bring a fresh proposal for installation of CCTV cameras in the next Cabinet meeting.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday claimed that he would sign the CCTV file on Monday in which he will ensure that the cameras are installed at a location approved by the public without any licence required. Kejriwal had called RWAS and market associations from across the city at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium here to interact with them over the installation of CCTV cameras in the national Capital. He not only took suggestions from the pub- lic on the CCTV project but also raised certain questions before the audience.

Later, speaking to the media, Kejriwal said: “In a democracy, the public is the head. There is no logic behind the licence rule for the camera installation. This will only increase corruption. Once the people refuse, there will be no need for the licence.”

“Ensuring women safety and reducing the crime level in Delhi is our priority. The public will decide if they want CCTV or not. Police, LG, or BJP will not decide,” he said.

Saying that the public wanted him to do it, he also tore a report of a committee, formed by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, which suggested that the Delhi Police will be the custodian of all CCTV cameras in public spaces in the capital, including the ones to be installed under AAP government's CCTV project.

The CCTV project proposed by the Delhi government will cover all RWAS and market associations of Delhi. Each RWA and market association shall have cameras to cover its respective areas. Meanwhile, the Delhi Lieutenant-governor's office on Sunday said the rules related to CCTV installation are only at a draft stage and it prescribed a reporting mechanism for camera installation, not a licensing mechanism.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Chief Minister's office said some misconception is being spread about the rules and regulations for the installation of CCTVS, and the rules, only at a draft stage, have been put out for public suggestions and objections and feedback by the Committee formed under the Principal Secretary, Home. The power supply to the cameras, with day-night vision, will be from any of the resident(s) nearest to the unit. The Delhi government will bear the monthly electricity charges. There will be approximately 2,000 cameras per assembly constituency in all 70 constituencies.