Amidst tug of war between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government and the lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal over installation of CCTVs, a six-member committee, constituted by Baijal, in the first week of this month, is likely to regulate the installation of CCTV cameras in private and Government buildings in the national Capital.
The development comes at a time when the AAP dispensation is planning to install around 1.46 lakh CCTV cameras in about 1,000 schools run by the Delhi government. Delhi Government has been planning to provide live feed to parents about the activities of their wards during school hours. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said that CCTV cameras will also help in the safety and security of children in the schools.
The six member committee, headed by Delhi Principal Secretary (Home) Manoj Parida, is currently in the process of preparing the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras across the city. lieutenant Governor has directed Parida to prepare a detailed SOP for CCTV installation so that concerns of surveillance and privacy could be addressed, an official said.
Parida is likely to convene a second meeting of the panel next week. The first meeting was held on May 11, ignoring the Delhi government's objection. The AAP dispensation has termed the committee as "illegal and unconstitutional".
A senior government official said that the committee was also working on modalities for the installation of CCTV cameras in private buildings to ensure that privacy of any individual was not "disturbed".
"The committee is seeking suggestions from experts and all stakeholders to prepare common framework for installation and monitoring of CCTV
"In other countries, there are common SOP for CCTV cameras. The government will ensure that the privacy of any individual is not disturbed due to CCTV cameras installed in private and government buildings," the official said.
According to the order setting terms and reference of the committee, the use of surveillance camera system should not be permitted to become a "tool to violate" privacy of individuals which is considered to be a fundamental right. The panel is likely to submit its report to the lieutenant Governor on June 8.
It may be recalled that, Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain had expressed concern about the possible framework for private buildings to install CCTV cameras.
Recently, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and AAP MlAs sat on a dharna near the lieutenant Governor's office, requesting him not to stall the government's ambitious CCTV project at the "behest of BJP" through the committee.