IMPHAL, March 2: The State finance department has allocated Rs 5.51 crores for repairing the 150 CCTV cameras in Imphal and to expand the areas they cover, stated Chief Minister Okram Ibobi in the fourth day of the 10th session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
Replying to a calling attention motion by Thangmeiband A/C MLA Kh Joykisan on the reports of the non-release of funds for maintaining the CCTV cameras installed in Imphal, the Chief Minister said funds are yet to be released from the finance department for repairing and maintaining the CCTV cameras. The defunct CCTV cameras will be repaired soon with the area covered by it to be expanded till Singjamei and Mantripukhri with the finance department earmarking Rs 5.51 crores for it.
He said the Home department is preparing to call for bids in an open tender through the internet from well known dealers across the world. After the process of the tender bids is over, the funds will be released within 21 days or a month from the finance department.
He said for the CCTV cameras to be fully operational, the State lacks 24X7 power supply so additional funds to arrange an alternative means of power from solar energy is required. The State government knew that CCTVs installed in Imphal city help the State police department in keeping the law and order situation under control.
Raising the calling attention motion, Kh Joykisan alleged that the State Home department was not properly maintaining the CCTV cameras and that the Finance department has not released the funds needed for repairing the CCTV cameras.
He further said that in the recent days, bomb blasts took place in the heart of Imphal killing and injuring many innocent civilians but if the existing CCTV cameras were fully functional, it might help in saving innocent lives.