Changeindia, v. The Chief Secretary To
WP No.28106 of 2014 The Hon`ble The CHIEF JUSTICE and The Hon`ble Mr Justice T. S. SIVAGNANAM CHANGEindia, Rep. by its Director A.Narayanan, No.7C, Daffodil, Ceebros Gardens, Arcot Road, Virugambakkam, Chennai-92.
Vs The Chief Secretary to Government, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Chennai-9. and 2 others.
We do appreciate the comprehensive response filed by the Inspector General of Police (Administration) in response to the queries raised by us in our order dated 09.03.2015. In substance, what is stated is as follows: 1.A phased manner of installation of CCTVs in the remaining police stations over a period of five years at an estimated cost of Rs.6.3 crores per year; 2.The explanation for the delay in the first phase was the factum of it being new project and thus, deliberations over technology and the methodology taking some time;
3.Police Stations sanctioned in future will also be provided with such CCTVs; 4.Three cameras will be installed in each Police Station covering the frontage of Police Station, reception area, hall and lock-up; 5.The recording facility will be available in DVR recorders, which can be copied to a separate storage device for future reference; 6.Uninterrupted power supply through inverters; 7.Night recording feature being available in CCTV system; 8.Details of specifications of cameras installed have been submitted in the affidavit;
9.Recordings available in DVR storage will be copied in a separate DVD/hard disk for further reference.
2. We are, however, surprised to note the stand that the Government of India has reduced the grant under the Modernisation of Police Force (MPF) Scheme. This is a matter, which, thus, needs examination by the Union of India. For that reason, we have called upon the learned Assistant Solicitor General to have a look into this matter, as a proposal is stated to have been sent by the State Government. We need not emphasize the importance of dire need of modernisation of the police force, both qua the manner in which they are equipped, as also the use of technology for detection of crimes and to maintain the law and order. In fact, over a period of time, old methods are yielding to more current scientific methods and every force must endeavour to modernise with times to meet the challenges, which are arising.
3. We close the proceedings accordingly.
[CJ] [T S S J] 24/04/2015 ATR