CCTV surveillance project outdated: CM
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Wednesday admitted that the CCTV surveillance system to be installed by the state government in Mumbai is outdated. He spoke on the issue during a discussion on the Appropriation Bill in the House. He also informed that the state government is considering the implementation of the CCTV installation project in phases.
Meanwhile, speaker Dilip Walse-Patil directed the government to implement the project as soon as possible. Mr Patil even went on to say, “Let us not play with the life of the common people.” He also suggested that members from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) could be inducted on the high power committee to complete the project within three to four months.
The issue was raised by BJP legislator Devendra Fadnavis during the discussion on the Appropriation Bill. He alleged that the government had failed to provide security to the common people. “The project to install CCTVs is a vivid example of the government’s failure as the CCTV project has not been completed even after five years,” Mr Fadnavis said.
Around 5,000 CCTVs were supposed to be installed in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror attacks, but the project is yet to be completed.
Replying to the queries, the chief minister said that the tenders of the project were issued twice, but failed. “The first tender failed as the company which cracked the deal was already blacklisted. Sai Infotech Services, which was awarded the second tender, was not able to pay the deposit money. Also, the cheque issued by the company had bounced. Hence, on June 13 the deal was decided to be scrapped,” Mr Chavan said.
The chief minister also informed that the high-power committee appointed to take the decision on the CCTV project had refused to make any deals, as there was a huge difference between the lowest bidder and the second lowest bidder.
“Installation of 5,000 CCTVs is a very big project. So, we are considering completing it in phases,” Mr Chavan said. He further added that the installation of CCTVs at the Common Wealth Games held in New Delhi was done by the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), an indigenous Government of India enterprise. The state government is considering that option too.
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