L-G calls meet on CCTV, govt says not informed
NEW DELHI : Installation of CCTV cameras — a flagship project of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government — has become the latest flashpoint between the ruling dispensation and lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal’s office.
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday called the L-G “a dictator” after he held a meeting on the matter without allegedly consulting the government. The L-G office refused to comment on the matter.
Baijal on Thursday held a meeting on “law and order” and discussed installation of CCTVS in the city — a scheme the AAP government is in the process of implementing.
Installation of CCTVS across Delhi was a poll promise of the Aam Aadmi Party. The government had in February finalised the concessionaire to install 1.4 lakh CCTVS in different parts at a cost of ₹272 crore. The government had said work would be completed by October this year.
The L-G and the AAP government have had constant run-ins on range of issues, including services, transfer of officials and encroaching on government powers. The matter is in Supreme Court and in February this year, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had expressed the hope that his government would get breather from the apex court.
Kejriwal suggested the L-G should “respect” and “follow” the Constitution while Sisodia termed the move as an attempt to “run a parallel government” undermining constitutional powers of the elected government.
Officials in the CM office said though the principal secretary, urban development department, Renu Sharma, and chief secretary Anshu Prakash were present, no minister from the Delhi cabinet was called.
On Monday, Hindustan Times had reported that the L-G wanted to formulate a standard operating procedure for the installation and operation of CCTVS.
In the meeting, the L-G directed the authorities to form an inter-agency group to formulate a common procedure to address issues of uniformity in installation. Reacting to Baijal’s meeting where installation of CCTV cameras was discussed, Kejriwal said: “LG should respect and follow the constitution.”
Sisodia termed the move “illegal”. “LG sir, please don’t be a dictator. This is an attempt to run a parallel government in Delhi. Its illegal. You don’t have power to call meeting on issues under elected government’s domain. Under Constitution you can only express difference of opinion on decision of elected government. Please respect the constitution,” Sisodia said in a tweet.
A statement issued by the L-G office on Thursday said locations which are sensitive, crime-prone, have to be identified in coordination with the Police and no overlapping of cameras at the same location has to be ensured.
“Lt. Governor stressed upon effective operation and maintenance of CCTVS, and deterrent penalty in case of any laxity on this count,” the statement said.
Baijal was informed that 4067 CCTVS were installed at 87 different sites by Delhi Police, while a proposal to install of 1,380 cameras was under active consideration by the MHA.