Jadavpur University: CCTV Cameras To Be Installed On Campus With Rs 37 Lakh Grant From West Bengal Education Dept

The decision comes in the backdrop of the massive uproar caused by the death of a first-year student by falling from the balcony of the university's main hostel building.

West Bengal Education Department To Sanction Rs 37 Lakh To Install CCTV Cameras On Campus

The West Bengal Higher Education Department is likely to sanction an amount of Rs 37 lakh to Jadavpur University for the installation of CCTV cameras in the varsity campus, news agency PTI reported. Notably, the development comes in after the uproar followed by a first-year Bengali Honours student’s death at the campus. While the department has in principle decided to sanction the amount, the department is yet to send the proposal to the finance department with requisite details, a senior official was reported as saying. 

"In principle, the amount has sanctioned by the higher education department but the process of sending the file to the finance department is yet to start," he was quoted as saying. "I have heard about the sanction of funds from media reports, but we are yet to get any official communication from the government. Whenever the amount comes, it will help the university to start installing CCTV cameras on the campus," officiating Vice-Chancellor Buddhadeb Sau told PTI. 

On the opposition of installation of cameras on the campus by SFI, he further said: "I am ready to sit with them for talks as I don't know why they are opposing the move. I have requested them to send a proposal. I have asked them to clarify their stand." Notably, Sau had earlier said that the installation of CCTV cameras at key places in the campus shall begin in two-three days. Jadavpur University registrar Snehamanju Basu earlier said that the university has already released the work order for the installation of CCTV cameras in the campus. 

Speaking further on the issue of seeking ISRO’s help in bringing down illegal activities inside Jadavpur University campus through Remote Sensing, Sau further said that an ISRO team will soon be visiting the university in the coming days to discuss the project. On the installation of cameras inside the campus, while the SFI-led students union has sought prior information before chalking out any policy, the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad and ABVP have called for bringing the entire university campus under strict surveillance at the earliest. 

(With inputs from PTI)