Cabinet nod to CCTV camera project

New Delhi: The Delhi Cabinet on Friday passed a proposal for installing CCTV cameras across the national capital, which became a bone of contention between lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party dispensation. Taking a dig at the Opposition, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the BJP and Congress would now find it tough to dole out money and liquor during elections.

Mr Kejriwal also hit out at the Centre, which controls the Delhi police, over rising crime against women across the national capital. “The home ministry, PM office, L-G and police have failed in providing security to people of Delhi. The Cabinet has approved the camera installation across the city. The people of Delhi were facing trouble as crime has risen in Delhi,” Mr Kejriwal said.

“The only thing we could have done was camera installation to create fear among criminals,” he said.

The project was embroiled in a controversy with the L-G 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 L-G, the chief minister said it had recommended licence for installing CCTV cameras. It means money will have to be paid for getting the licences, he said.

“Have you spent the money from Rafale deal that you now need money from CCTV cameras to run your party?” he said addressing the BJP legislators in the House.

The AAP supremo said in principle approval was given to the CCTV camera project by the Delhi government in October 2015. “With the help of officers, they moved files in a way that the installation of CCTV cameras was delayed by three years,” Mr Kejriwal said in the Assembly.

He asked the BJP legislators to ensure that the L-G creates no further “hurdles” in the implementation of the project.

The estimated cost of the project by the PWD of Delhi government is Rs 571.40 crore.