Assam Assembly: Act makes CCTV installation mandatory

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: All business establishments or offices with five or more employees, apartments and residential buildings (above ground floor + two) in the state need to install CCTV cameras with 30-day video-footage storage provisions. The passage of 'The Assam Public Safety Measures Enforcement Bill, 2023' in the State Assembly today necessitated this security measure to curb the crime rate in the interest of public safety.

The Act stipulates that every owner/manager/person or person(s) running an establishment or residential building above G+2 shall implement this safety measure within a period of one year from the date of its commencement.

During the discussion on the amendment to the Bill, MLA Akhil Gogoi said that the Bill would be police-centric, infringing on individual freedom. He said magistrates should check the CCTV footage, not the police.

Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah said, "The objective of the Bill is not bad. However, it will harass the common people. The Bill has the provision of fines for not installing CCTVs within the stipulated time. The fine should be minimal."

Several other MLAs, including Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain and AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam (senior), also took part in the discussion.

Responding to the members, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal said, "Some crime-related incidents took place in Guwahati in the recent past. The Chief Minister then reviewed the data to unearth reasons why the crime rate surges in the city. The review meeting took the decision to install 200 CCTV cameras in various public places in the metropolitan city so as to help the police in their investigations. Many other states have also made the installation of CCTV mandatory in business establishments and residential buildings. Finally, we have also decided to make the installation of CCTVs mandatory in business establishments with five or more employees and in residential buildings above G+2. After the implementation of the Act, the CCTV with 30-day video footage storage provision will be installed at the entry and exit points, besides the four corners of buildings or establishments. If any crime occurs in such areas, the police will serve prior notice to check and collect the video footage. The measure is to help the police get clues about crimes."

There are provisions for a fine of between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 in the event of anyone defying the Act.

After the reply from the minister, the opposition members withdrew the amendments they had brought, and the Bill got its passage.

Also Read: Assam: CCTV Installation Task Underway In Guwahati, Informs Ashok Singhal

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