The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has asked for Rs 25 crore from the Delhi Government to install CCTV cameras in all its schools.
"After taking up the task of installing cameras in our mid-day meal kitchens, we are now planning to put them in all our schools," said Satish Upadhyay, chairman of SDMC's education committee. "We have already written to the State Government, but are yet to hear from them," he added. "There are 588 schools altogether and if we factor in those running in shifts, the number is 432. We are looking for a minimum of eight to 10 cameras per building," he added.
Drawing attention to security breach in certain schools — a point raised by some ward councillors in their monthly meet earlier — Upadhyay said, "Girls' schools will be given priority as they are the most vulnerable. This will help in making premises much more secure." The chairman fended off the Opposition's remarks that instead of focusing on basic needs, the ruling party was wasting money on CCTVs. "Education is still our priority. This is something we have asked apart from our regular budget. One sees on television how lives are becoming so vulnerable to external attacks. That is why CCTV cameras have been installed at marketplaces too. Hence, it is the need of the hour," he said. "The project is still in trial phase but we are hopeful that it will be very successful," added Upadhyay.