Assembly demands removal of CS

Ananya Panda

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 10

On the day when the Delhi cabinet sanctioned the installation of the CCTV cameras across the capital at an estimated Rs 571.40 crore, the project on Friday remained at the centre of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s attack on the BJP-led Centre, LG and Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash against whom the Delhi Assembly passed a resolution demanding his immediate removal over his role in “blocking the CCTV project as a part of a design by the opposition BJP”.

The break-up of the project cost goes as a capital cost of Rs 320.96 crore and a maintenance cost of Rs 250.44 crore for a period of five years.

Informing the House about the Cabinet decision, Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal led his party’s attack and accused the Home Ministry, Prime Minister office, LG and the Delhi Police of failing to take effective measures to check crime against women.

“The way crimes against women in Delhi have increased over the last few years. This is worrying. Law and order comes under PM, the Union Home Ministry and the LG and their Delhi Police have failed to take effective steps. The Delhi government’s decision to install CCTV cameras across the city will deter offenders,” said Kejriwal.

Earlier, the CM took a swipe at the opposition saying BJP is not happy as once CCTV cameras are installed the BJP and the Congress would find it hard to distribute liquor and money during elections in Delhi.

“It is a big news for people of Delhi as after a long wait the cabinet today cleared the CCTV cameras project,” said Kejriwal, adding, the journey to this date has not been easy due to the continuous obstructions by the BJP and LG Anil Baijal even after the project got the in-principle approval from the Delhi government in October 2015.

“It took three years to get the CCTV project passed due to obstacles by the BJP through the LG who tried to block the project through his officers. They (BJP and LG) scuttled its passage through the officers,” said the CM while asking the BJP lawmakers to ensure that Baijal “creates no further roadblocks” in the execution of the CCTV project.

Referring to the Baijal-appointed committee to frame rules for installation, operation and monitoring of the CCTV cameras, Kejriwal also demanded that the BJP must come clear on why CCTV cameras should go through licensing and in course, slammed the Modi government over the controversial Rafale deal. The AAP chief asked, “Have you (the BJP government) spent the money saved from Rafale deal that you now want money from CCTV cameras for your party.”

Deputy CM Manish Sisodia too lashed out at Baijal accusing him of doing all he could to stop the project from materialising. “The LG made his best efforts till the last minute with the CS putting up a cabinet note in the meeting which he termed the cabinet’s decision hasty as a part of a conspiracy to further delay the CCTV project,” said Sisodia in the House.

Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta blamed the Kejriwal government for the delay prompting Speaker Ram Niwas Goel to object to his statements.

AAP MLA Alka Lamba said the Centre tried its best to obstruct the CCTV cameras project accusing the PM, Home Ministry and the BJP of being non-serious on the issue of women safety and came down heavily on the recent rapes in Muzaffarpur, Kathua and Unnao.

“It is unfortunate.... Officers unfortunately have become agents in the hands of the BJP,” Lamba said.