CCTV cameras installed in private buildings could be regulated by the government, as a committee formed to suggest a standard operating procedure (SOP) for security cameras earlier this month looks into both government and private use of CCTVs, sources said.
On orders of Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal on May 8, a committee chaired by the principal secretary of the Home Department, Manoj Kumar Parida, was given a month to come up with an SOP for installation, operation and maintenance of CCTV cameras.
The move came at a time that the Delhi government was planning on installing 1.4 lakh cameras across the city, leading the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) dispensation to accuse the L-G of stalling the project.
Panel meeting
Though the AAP dispensation termed the committee illegal, the panel held its first meeting on May 11. Mr. Parida had told The Hindu that day that the committee went over its terms of reference at the “preliminary meeting”.
At a briefing on Wednesday, Home and Public Works Department Minister Satyendar Jain had announced that the Expenditure Finance Committee of the government had approved the installation of 1.46 lakh CCTV cameras in government schools. While the government was ready to complete the project in six months, he said, if the committee “stalled”, then it “could take six years”. Then, Mr. Jain went on to express his concern about the possible regulatory framework for private buildings.
“The terms of reference for the committee talk about an authority, which means they want to have a licensing authority for all CCTV cameras, including in private buildings,” he said, adding that it would lead to inconvenience to the public and the potential for corruption.
Privacy violation
Senior government officials, however, said the committee had not decided yet as to how the regulations would work for private buildings. According to the terms of reference, the needs of privacy and security need to be balanced.
“The use of surveillance camera system should not be permitted to become a toll to violate privacy of individuals which is considered to be a fundamental right [sic],” the order setting the terms of reference stated.
Exploring best practices
According to government sources, the committee has been in touch with legal and technical (hardware and software) experts and is exploring the best practices adopted by other countries, including the United Kingdom. For instance, the committee is looking at whether a camera installed outside a public building like a hospital should be covered under regulations, when those inside the premises are not in interest of patients’ privacy.
Report on June 8
Another issue that is being discussed is of security, sources said. If a camera on a private building overlooks sensitive military installations or a route travelled by the Prime Minister, who should have access to its feed, asked one government source. These questions and others are expected to be answered by the committee in its report, which has to be submitted by June 8.
