The Cabinet on Wednesday gave its nod for the time-bound completion of the ambitious project — Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems (CCTNS), by March 2017. This much delayed project started during the UPA regime is to synchronise databases of security organisations across the country after its integration with key components of the criminal justice system.
“In the immediate aftermath of what has happened in Paris and India’s resolve to join the world community in a collective crusade against terror and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reiteration to this effect at G20 summit, I think we are one of the first nations to make an important announcement. We would fast track the CCTNS that has been going on in this country for quite some time,” Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh said at a Press conference.
To keep pace with changing scenario, the Cabinet also decided to approve in principle design of next phase of CCTNS project so that additional functionalities not yet implemented may be included and police functioning in the country is fully computerised. The total outlay for the project is `2,000 crore, and includes operation and maintenance phase for additional five years up to March 2022.
Government has also decided to implement Integrated Criminal Justice System (ICJS) by integrating CCTNS with e-Courts, e-prisons, Forensics and Prosecution - the key components of the criminal justice system. This will ensure quick data transfer among different pillars of criminal justice system, which will not only enhance transparency but also reduce processing time.
This project is now fully aligned with the vision of the Smart Policing and Digital India of the Government of India. The project, approved in 2009, spans across all the states and Union territories. As per the plan, it would connect a total of more than 21,000 locations.