Palike to instal CCTV cameras in its schools

But stringent tender conditions discourage bidders

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is finally gearing up to improve safety and security at its schools and colleges, by installing closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

The Palike is currently undertaking a survey of its educational institutions for the execution of the project. There are a total of 89 nurseries, 13 primary schools, 32 high schools, 13 pre-university colleges and four degree colleges maintained and run by the civic agency.

According to the members of BBMP Standing Committee on Education, the cameras would be fixed within a month. The Committee members said the cameras would be installed at all the educational institutions run by it, at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakh. Video surveillance cameras would be put up, mandatorily, at the entrance and at each corridor on the school premises, they added.

BBMP Education Officer, Hanumantharaju said they had floated the tender a month ago, however, the stringent conditions of the tender have kept most of the bidders away from participating.

“We are reworking the tender conditions. Presently, we are surveying schools and colleges for installation of cameras,” the education officer said.

The Palike officials said the number of cameras that would be installed at each of the premises will depend on the size of the schools.

Committee Chairperson P Dhanraj attributed the delay in the installation of the CCTV cameras at schools to shortage of funds. He said, “The funds allotted under the BBMP budget for the year 2014 -15 is less due to which we are facing hiccups in executing other works such as upgrading schools, providing uniforms and books among others. We have written to District in-charge Minister Ramalinga Reddy highlighting the issue and requesting him do something about this.”

According to sources, the BBMP funds allotted for education has been reduced by 50 per cent due to unknown reasons. Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Commissioner Lakshminarayana were unavailable for comments, when contacted.
DH News Service