CCTVs: Panel to submit report by June-end

New Delhi: The lieutenant-governor- (L-G) appointed committee entrusted with the framing of standing operating procedure (SOP) for the installation of CCTV cameras in Delhi has been given an extension till the end of this month to submit its report, according to sources.

L-G Anil Baijal had earlier asked the six-member panel, headed by principal home secretary Manoj Parida, to submit its report on June 8.

Last month, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and AAP MLAs staged a sit-in near Mr Baijal’s office, demanding dissolution of the committee, which Mr Kejriwal described as “very dangerous”.

He had alleged that the BJP did not want the AAP government’s ambitious project to be executed, which was why it was being stalled “through Mr Baijal”.

One of the sources said the committee had sought time from the L-G to submit its report as representatives of various organisations, including resident welfare associations (RWAs), demanded their views to be included in framing SOP for the CCTV project.

“In view of the panel’s request, the L-G has asked it to submit its report by the end of this month,” the source said. The com,mittee is likely to regulate the installation of CCTVs in both private and government buildings in the national capital.

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.

On May 14, Mr Kejriwal, his cabinet ministers and MLAs marched to the L-G’s office to press Mr Baijal “not to stall” the CCTV project under “pressure from the BJP”.

During the march, Mr Kejriwal, ministers and MLAs had raised slogans against Mr Baijal and the BJP.

Later, they sat on a dharna near Mr Baijal’s office after the L-G, according to Mr Kejriwal, had allegedly refused to meet cabinet ministers and AAP legislators

Mr Baijal also termed the chief minister’s dharna as a “protest without basis” and alleged that the chief minister was “more comfortable” making baseless allegations against him.

He further said that the protest was based on “unwarranted apprehensions” about the stalling of CCTV project.

During the 2015 Assembly election, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had promised to install the CCTV cameras across the city.