In 2018, funds meant for installation of cameras lapsed
PARDEEP BAKSHI
UDHAMPUR: ‘Where there is a will, there is way’ is a true saying. But when there is lack of coordination, development can never take place and remain as a distant dream. In present era of 21st century, it is really shocking that we are still talking about installation of CCTV cameras in Udhampur.
Slathia Chowk blast has acted as an eye-opener for administration, as now, need has been felt to equip all vital Chowks of town with CCTV cameras. It is pertinent to mention here that former Rajya Sabha Member Shamsher Singh Manhas, on request of local people, had sanctioned funds amounting to Rs 10 Lakh to install much-needed CCTV cameras in Udhampur city in 2018 but it is really shocking that even available funds, after swinging on from one department to another including PWD, Police and Municipality failed to meet the desired purpose as none of the departments prepared even a DPR to proper utilization of funds to install CCTV cameras in city and at last, the funds lapsed without utilization.
It shows that it was not deficiency of funds because was lack of will in administration that cameras were not installed. Moreover, local leadership, who invariably expressed inadequate understanding and poor liaison with District administration, is also equally responsible for the lapse of funds. Moreover, police administration, which is expressing helplessness to install CCTV cameras due to paucity of funds, spend huge amounts on various civic action programmes every year, surprisingly never felt the need for installing CCTV cameras in Udhampur to keep a close vigil on crime. The issue was raised numerous times in various administrative meetings for keeping a vigil on anti-social as well as anti-national elements but always remained confined to files and nothing was initiated on ground level. It is worth mentioning here that some 4 years back, police had installed a CCTV camera with 360 degree view at MH Chowk but later it also became defunct.