The Smart City project in Panaji has once again come under scrutiny. This time over the whopping cost of installation of CCTV cameras. Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai has reportedly criticized the Smart City project for allegedly spending Rs 250 crore of the state exchequer on installing 250 cameras, each costing one crore. This is indeed shocking .... absolutely insane. It looks like daytime loot. Even if these CCTV cameras are gold-plated they won't cost as much. It is learnt that before any other infrastructure tenders were issued, the tender for CCTV cameras was prioritized. Even the best cameras can be purchased at Rs 20,000 each. Citizens pay various taxes from their hard-earned money. If public money is being spent extravagantly by those in power, then it is unacceptable. If there is even an iota of truth in the claim made by the opposition member in the house then the matter needs to be thoroughly investigated by a competent authority. The minister concerned needs to clear the air with regards to this exorbitant spending. If one CCTV camera costs Rs one crore, then thieves will surely target these cameras.
