Delhi Police prefer hiring than buying CCTV cameras

New Delhi: At a time when investigators are groping for clues in the Israeli diplomat attack case due to absence of CCTV cameras, records show that Delhi Police keep hiring security equipment rather than procuring these while guarding high-profile events. During the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Delhi Police had spent Rs 5.58 crore on hiring security equipment which included CCTV cameras for eight days to guard the road events of cycling and marathon at a cost of Rs 1.04 crore. [caption id=“attachment_218052” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Delhi Police keep hiring security equipment rather than procuring them. Reuters”]  [/caption] Besides, police had hired 37 CCTV cameras (21 fixed and 16 PTZ) at a cost of Rs 5,208 daily per camera for eight days. All these CCTV cameras were hired and put for just eight days in the high-profile New Delhi area, where the February 13 attack took place and where residences and offices of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, all top ministers and bureaucrats are located. “Instead of hiring, Delhi Police could have purchased at least some CCTV cameras with the same money. Commonwealth Games was not held in Delhi in short notice but was awarded to the city eight years before the event. “Delhi Police could have planned in advance and install CCTV cameras permanently in vital locations and could have caught criminals involved in incidents like the one involving the Israeli diplomat,” a Home Ministry official said. Delhi Police have already made the payment of Rs 79.5 lakh for hiring CCTV cameras during the Games, though payment of Rs 25 lakh has not yet been cleared due to the registration of an FIR against a firm and its proprietor. During the Games, Delhi Police also had also procured security equipment worth Rs 13.24 crore. PTI