LG-appointed panel likely to regulate installation of CCTV cameras

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 20

Lt Governor Anil Baija-constituted six-member committee, which has been mandated to frame the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras across the city, is likely to also regulate the installation of CCTV cameras in private and government buildings in the capital.

The committee, headed by Delhi Principal Secretary (Home) Manoj Parida, is currently in process of seeking suggestions from experts and all stakeholders for preparing a regulatory framework for installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras in the city. It is likely to hold the second meeting on the same during the coming week.

The panel has been tasked with looking at aspects of privacy of any individual while preparing framework for the installation of CCTV cameras in private buildings to ensure that privacy of any individual is not breached.

The first meeting of the committee was held on May 11, ignoring the Delhi government’s directions not to proceed with the working of the committee with the AAP ministers terming the committee “illegal and unconstitutional”.

The issue once again brought the LG and the AAP dispensation against each other with the latter accusing Baijal of deliberately stalling the CCTV project at the behest of the BJP-led Centre. In course Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, his cabinet colleagues and AAP MLAs recently sat on a dharna near LG’s office, requesting him not to scuttle the government’s CCTV project.

The LG had issued order setting terms and reference of the committee, stating the use of surveillance camera system should not come in conflict with the fundamental right of privacy and mandate of the panel is to prevent CCTVs from becoming a tool to violate privacy of individuals and to ensure clear responsibility and accountability for all surveillance camera system activities. The committee is likely to submit its report to the Lt Governor on June 8.