Jammu MC’s ‘Suraksha Yojana’ in controversy
Amit Khajuria
Tribune News Service
Jammu, June 21
The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is all set to launch the sale of CCTV cameras for households in the name of ‘Jammu Surakhsa Yojana’ to provide intelligent home security solutions to residents. JMC commissioner Pankaj Magotra signed a memorandum of understanding with ITI Limited, a Government of India undertaking, in this regard.
According to officials of the JMC, the proposal was placed before the general House meeting recently and was unanimously passed. Any resident of the city willing to install a home security system may approach ITI Limited through the Sewa Kendras in different wards of the JMC.
“The project was proposed in collaboration with IIT Delhi, which will provide two CCTV cameras along with other required equipment to residents at a subsidised cost of Rs 10,000, plus applicable taxes, payable at a monthly installment of Rs 500 only,” said Chander Mohan Gupta, Mayor, JMC.
“The idea behind this project is to generate a third eye to protect the households from theft and other type of crimes,” he added. The Mayor also said that the company would pay five per cent of the profit margin to JMC.
However, sources alleged that the MC was apparently working as an agent for the company supplying CCTV cameras, as it was offering to install two CCTV cameras in every household for Rs 10,000 while in the open market the complete setup of four CCTV cameras is available at the same cost. Interestingly, the local market is providing the same equipment with double capacity system at the same rate, including all taxes. “Four cameras with four channel DVR and 500 GB hard disk can be installed at Rs 10,000,” said a renown CCTV dealer at Trikuta Nagar area. He said he was unaware of the quality of products being used by the company hired by JMC, but a very good quality system could be installed at the same price.
The difference
- The MC is offering to install a set of two CCTV cameras in each household at Rs 10,000
- However, a system with double capacity is available in the market at the same cost
