‘L-G panel never acted as barrier to CCTV scheme’

New Delhi: The LG-appointed panel was never acting as a “barrier and obstacle” to the implementation of the AAP government’s CCTV camera project, additional chief secretary (home) Manoj Parida said on Saturday. However, Mr Parida, who is heading the committee, said that a final decision on the government’s standard operating procedure (SOP) is yet to be taken, but assured that the process of installing CCTV cameras will continue.

“The L-G’s committee was never acting as barrier and obstacle to this (CCTV project). Our only concern is about who will control the data so that there is no misuse of video feeds,” Mr Parida told a news agency, stressing that installation of CCTVs will start in three months.

L-G Anil Baijal had constituted a panel headed by Mr Parida to frame SOP for the installation of 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras, which the Arvind Kejriwal government had strongly opposed, claiming that the panel had suggested for police licencing before installation of CCTV cameras.

However, Mr Parida said the panel will not ask for police licencing before the installation of CCTV cameras. He said that installation of CCTVs, which is being executed by the PWD, and formation of regulatory framework are two different issues. Another senior official said that installation of CCTVs cannot be stopped until the committee takes final decision.

“The committee has received SOP from the government’s side which is being looked into...there is no blockage on part of the L-G on the matter,” he said. Recently, the L-G office had also clarified that the file pertaining to the matter is not pending with it.