Tamil Nadu Government makes mandatory CCTVs in public buildings

Chennai: As a measure of crime control, Tamil Nadu Government has made mandatory installation of Closed Circuits Television units (CCTV) in all public buildings, commercial establishments and places where public congregate.

All educational institutions, hospitals, cinema theatres, banks, ATM counters, shopping malls, petrol bunks and jewellery shops among others would be covered under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Installation of Closed Circuit TV Units in Public Buildings) Rules, 2012, notified recently.

CCTVs would also be installed in central and state government offices, where more than 100 people are employed or having a floor area of 500 square metre and above, and bus terminals.

In every public building, CCTV units will be installed at the rate of one unit for every 300 square metres, at suitable vantage points such as entry-exit points, corridors, in such a manner that movement of the public can be closely monitored.

"Every person who intends to construct or reconstruct a public building shall make necessary provision in the building plan itself for the installation of CCTVs units" while applying for permission.

The order said in all existing public buildings CCTV units shall be installed by the owner or occupier of the building within six months from the date of coming into force of the rules, failing which, the license would be 'cancelled' or 'suspended'.

The official order comes close on the heels of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's last week announcement of a 13-point action plan which included putting in place CCTVs in all public buildings as part of measures to enhance women safety.