‘Panel to oversee CCTV project unconstitutional’

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday termed “unconstitutional” a committee constituted by Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal to oversee the installation of a CCTV camera network in the Capital.

Mr. Baijal had on Tuesday constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary (Home) to evolve a standard operating procedure and framework for the installation, operation, monitoring of CCTVs, and other related issues, within 30 days.

‘Wrong step’

“The formation of this committee is a wrong and unconstitutional step. There has been no official communication received by the government about the committee, which we have learnt of only through media reports,” he said at press conference here.

Mr. Sisodia said that Home Minister Satyendar Jain would write to the LG on the issue on Thursday.

As per a written communication from Raj Niwas on Tuesday, the committee has been tasked with recommending a Standard Operating Procedure or regulatory framework for installation, operation, monitoring and other issues related to CCTVs in public spaces.

The Raj Niwas added that recommendations would be made taking into account relevant laws and best practices adopted in abroad. The panel will also suggest norms for installation of CCTVs in public places, and protocol for their use.

Norms regarding storage, monitoring, access and sharing of CCTV footage with government authorities, keeping in view privacy and security concerns, including erasure and final disposal of recorded footage, will also be recommended by the committee.

Maximising benefits

The panel will also recommend a mechanism for informing the public that they are under surveillance and a system for effective review and audit for ensuring privacy while maximising benefits from technology.