CM expresses fear BJP might stall CCTV camera project

TNS/PTI

New Delhi, August 11

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today expressed the fear that the BJP might stall their ambitious project to install CCTV cameras in the city, a day after the Delhi Cabinet approved a proposal for the scheme.

As per the plan, the Delhi government will install around 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras across the national capital.

"A BJP leader has told me that they will not allow installation of CCTV cameras. The BJP is working on two options - registration of fake cases in the CBI after picking up all files to get project stalled and making LG refer the matter to the president," Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

"If the BJP stalls installation of CCTV cameras, people will not tolerate this," he said.

The Chief Minister yesterday told the Delhi Assembly that the Cabinet has approved the project.

Taking a dig at the Opposition, Kejriwal had said the BJP and the Congress would now find it tough to dole out money and liquor during elections.

The project was embroiled in a controversy with Lt Governor Anil Baijal forming a committee to frame rules for installation, operation and monitoring of CCTV cameras. The AAP had slammed the move as "delaying tactics".

Picking holes in the committee formed by the LG, the Chief Minister yesterday said it had recommended licence for installing CCTV cameras.

It means money will have to be paid for getting the licences, he had said. 

Meanwhile, AAP MLA Alka Lamba said in a press conference that after efforts of three years to install the cameras, the Chief Secretary in a Cabinet meeting said that the proposal was prepared in hurry.

She said that there was some conspiracy behind this comment of the Chief Secretary. A bureaucrat cannot make this kind of comment against the elected government, she said.

Lamba said that installing CCTV cameras was one of the election promises of her party. To fulfil the promise, the Cabinet on October 13, 2015, had given its in-principle approval and made PWD the nodal department for the implementation of this project.

She said that on November 20, 2015, a committee was constituted to finalise CCTV specifications, rate of contract, annual maintenance contract, standard operating procedure and for finalising the request for proposal.

Lamba said that on June 2, 2016, rate of contract was approved by the Delhi Work Advisory Board whereby six agencies were empanelled for supply of CCTV cameras. But, the rate of contract could not be implemented due to receipt of a complaint.

On January 9, 2018, request for proposal was again invited after making some changes in eligibility criteria. Two agencies were qualified in technical bid and finally M/s Bharat Electronics Ltd. (a central government public sector unit - PSU) was found as L-1 bidder, which includes maintenance of five years.

The proposal was placed before the EFC and approved in April 2018.

The Chief Secretary yesterday said that the proposal was prepared in a hurry and LG constituted a new committee for the camera, she said.