Audit raises questions over costly CCTV rentals at PU
An audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has flagged an expensive decision by Panjab University, Chandigarh, to rent CCTV cameras for security during the Vice President of India’s visit in December 2023, instead of purchasing them—a choice that could have saved public funds and created long-term assets for the university.
The audit, conducted from May 21 to June 14, 2024, scrutinised the university’s expenditures for the year 2023-24. One of the findings centres around the installation of five additional CCTV cameras for the Vice President's visit to the campus for the Global Alumni Meet on December 23, 2023. The cameras, rented for three days from M/s Cyber Electronics (India), cost the university Rs 64,900, a rate significantly higher than if the university had purchased the cameras outright.
According to the audit, while 17 similar cameras were ordered for the International Hostel just days later—at Rs 15,340 each—the university chose the more expensive rental option for the high-profile visit. This has raised questions about the decision-making process, particularly as the university witnesses VIP and VVIP visits frequently.
The audit also pointed out inconsistencies in the procurement process, including one quotation being submitted without a date and discrepancies in the timing of the requests. Reasons for obtaining this undated quotation and installing CCTV on rent for three days at such a high rate, instead of purchasing the cameras, were called for during the audit. The audit further noted that the proposal for renting the cameras was signed by the Chief of University Security before the date of the quotation (i.e., 20.12.2023). On being pointed out, no reply was furnished, the report stated.
"The decision to rent rather than buy was a temporary fix," said Vikram Singh, Chief of University Security. "For high-profile visits, like the Vice President’s, security arrangements are paramount. We have to adhere to strict timelines for approval and installation, as his security officials conduct inspections before such visits. Purchasing cameras is a longer process as it requires a formal procurement process through the Government e-Marketplace (GEM) portal, which can take several days to complete," he added. When security officials conveyed demand of CCTV cameras, it had to be completed at the earliest and renting was the only viable option, he said.
The issue of permanent security cameras was once again brought up in a meeting prior to the Vice President’s return visit for the 2024 Global Alumni Meet on December 21, 2024. It was suggested that, given the frequency of VIP and VVIP visits, permanent cameras should be installed around critical areas such as the Law Auditorium. According to the university authorities, 10 locations, including areas around Gymanisum Hall and Law Auditorium, will be brought under vigil soon under third phase of camera installation.
