Thanks to CCTVs, CMC officals are said to be on their best behaviour

In an effort to put an end to the menace of touts and to improve transparency, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras have been installed at the City Municipal Council office, in Mandya.

Nine CCTV cameras have been installed at various points on the premises, at a cost of Rs 85,000, which can be monitored from the office of CMC Commissioner.

Two cameras have been fixed at the entrance which helps monitor the people entering and leaving the office.

The remaining cameras have been fixed at sections where khata is transferred, accounts, receipt, birth and death certificate issuance and bill collection. The other two cameras will be installed at revenue and administration sections, said CMC Commissioner Dr Dasegowda.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said it had become easy to keep track of the punctuality of the staff members, and ascertain whether or not they are present on the premises during office hours.

Their behaviour with the general public, is also on vigil. The technology is also helpful in monitoring whether any person is moving in a suspicious manner inside the office, and check the purpose of his visit.

One of the staff members has been shifted to another department due to dereliction of duty, which was recorded on camera. The quality of work has improved among the staff after the cameras were set up and also put a brake to touts and agents who were interfering with official work, he said.

Maintenance

The maintenance of the cameras has been handed over to the technical wing of the CMC. The CCTVs have the capacity of recording for ten consecutive days, after which the data is transferred to a compact disc.

It has been 15 days since the cameras have been installed, and welcome changes have been observed in the administrative system, said officials, adding that there were also plans to introduce biometric system.