MARGAO
A whopping Rs 250 crore to install around 250 closed circuit TV surveillance cameras in the capital city of Panaji had hit the headlines during the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Madgavkars may have a question or two for the government “ is there any plan or a provision made to revive the CCTV project in the State’s commercial capital, lying defunct over the last half-a-decade? Take note, the commercial capital is not looking forward for the government to allocate hundreds of crores, but bare minimum funds amounting to Rs 4-5 crore to revive the defunct project.
Well, the multi-crore CCTV project, executed under the MPLAD scheme of ex-South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, which had brought the commercial capital under the lens of the Big Brother in 2012-13 has been down and out. The 70 CCTV cameras installed across the Margao Municipal jurisdiction a little over a decade ago are now just lying in a defunct state, but have been declared as beyond repair.
So, what next? Pose the question to the traffic police officials and apt comes a reply that the task of installing CCTV cameras falls in the domain of the local civic body, Margao Municipal Council. In fact, a senior traffic police official was candid in pointing out that the ground reality has not changed for the better since the CCTV project lay grounded around half-a-decade ago.
Do not be shocked and surprised if one comes across a thick file in the record books of the Margao traffic cell, which shed light on the correspondence the traffic police made with the Margao Municipal Council and the district authorities for the revival of the CCTV project. “We are helpless in the matter. The MMC may be in a better position to shed light on the status of the proposal to revive the CCTV project in the commercial capital,” remarked a senior traffic police official.
Margao Municipal Chairperson Damu Shirodkar, when contacted, said the CCTV project proposal made to the district authorities under the MPLAD scheme, did not take off till date. “I will discuss the issue with Chief Officer Ajit Panchwadkar how to go about the matter,” Shirodkar added.
In the absence of CCTV cameras at the road and traffic junction, the men-in-uniform have been left with no option than to scout for CCTV footages of cameras installed by households and commercial establishments to obtain clue in times of crimes.
When CCTV revival plans under MPLAD came a cropper for second time in 5 years
MARGAO: Plans to revive the defunct Closed Circuit TV surveillance cameras in the commercial capital under the MPLAD scheme of Rajya Sabha MPs have come a cropper for a second time in the last half-a-decade.
Consider this. In 2018, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had got former Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik to sanction Rs 4 crore under the MPLAD scheme to install 365 high-end and mid-range cameras at 112 locations across Fatorda. The Fatorda MLA, who was then a Minister in the Manohar Parrikar-led government, had even launched the works, but the project never saw the light of day.
Only recently, the Goa Forward chief has announced plans to revive the CCTV project in Fatorda constituency with funds from the MPLAD scheme of South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes.
Incidentally, the Margao Municipal Council made a determined bid to revive the CCTV project through the MPLAD scheme of ex-Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar. In fact, sources informed that the Rajya Sabha MP had in May, 2023 recommended the MMC proposal to install CCTV cameras at 38 locations in the Margao Municipal jurisdiction. However, curtains came down on the tenure of the Rajya Sabha MP before the proposal could take off.
Audit report reveals failure of CCTV project due to funding lapses, delays
MARGAO: The audit report submitted by the Accountant General early this year sheds light on the circumstances that have rendered the CCTV project in the commercial capital defunct.
In the report, the audit has batted for the CCTV cameras, saying they are crucial for addressing community safety and crime concerns, aiding traffic police in monitoring vehicular movement and deterring violations.
The report states that the Margao Municipal Council had installed 38 CCTV cameras in 24 locations under the MPLAD scheme in 2013-14, but they soon became non-functional in September 2015 due to non-renewal of Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC).
“Despite DM’s instructions, the Council did not tender the AMC, citing funds shortage. In response, Margao’s traffic cell on September 08, 2020 emphasised the urgency of CCTV installation, citing a daylight murder where non-functional cameras hindered culprit identification,” the report said.
The audit further stated that the MMC resolved on November 3, 2020 to install CCTV cameras at strategic locations within the MMC jurisdiction through MPLAD funds. “The CCTVs were proposed to be installed at 62 locations (i.e. 113 nos. fixed cameras and 24 nos. PTZ cameras) in four phases. However, the council forwarded the proposal on February 24, 2022 (after delay of 15 months) for supply and installation of CCTV cameras in MMC jurisdiction at 38 locations (for phase 1) amounting to Rs 182.30 lakh to the Collector, South Goa for consideration and to utilise the funds under MPLAD scheme under public interest,” the report said.
The audit added: “The council also agreed to look after the maintenance and repair of the installed CCTVs post completion of warranty period of three years. In the meantime, agency (M/s Nupur technologies Pvt Ltd) was requested to submit the status report of the CCTV (installed in 2013-14) who reported (10/06/2022) that the cabling of CCTV cameras was damaged and was beyond repairs.”
The report further added that the MP (Rajya Sabha) had on May 4, recommended the CCTV proposal for 38 locations in MMC jurisdiction. However, the Additional Collector’s office, in charge of MPLADS, informed on June 15, 2023 the MMC that since the MP is retiring on July 28, 2023, the unspent MPLAD balance would be transferred to the Ministry’s CNA account. As per MPLADS guidelines, the proposal was not uploaded on the Ministry’s web portal by MMC before July 28, 2023 which deprived of benefit of the said scheme.
