Housing Minister will mandate CCTV cameras in all new buildings.

Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said on Wednesday to the Legislative Council, that the installation of CCTV cameras would become mandatory in new buildings in Maharashtra.

He also said that the CCTV cameras would be connected to the state Home department’s Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS).

This announcement was made while the opposition BJP raised the question of “rising” crimes against women in the state vigorously.

“We’re reforming current regulations and coercing the installation of CCTV cameras in every new building in the state. We’re also connecting these CCTV cameras to our existing CCTNS network,” said Deshmukh, responding to a calling attention on the crime against women. The Home Minister also said that the existing Mumbai network will include 5000 more CCTV cameras.

Deshmukh also said that the ‘Manodhairya’ scheme will be changed to include other inflammatory items, including petrol and diesel, which are used in many criminal attacks against women.

Currently, the state-run program addresses the victims of rape, acid attack survivors and children who are victims of sexual offences.

When the members raised issues relating to counselling of women victims, Deshmukh said, “The Pune Police heads the ‘Bharosa’ cell where trained staff counsel survivors of sexual assault. “We’re going to try to open cells like this throughout Maharashtra,” he said.

Deshmukh later said the Legislative Assembly that the government has undertaken steps to improve the crime investigation system, for example, the introduction of the online FIR filing with the help of CCTNS system and the proposed installation of six CCTV cameras in each police station across the state.

In response to a notice of increased crimes against women, Deshmukh assured that he had tabled new legislation in accordance with the Dish Act.