BJP MLA Abhay Verma Alleges Unfair CCTV Installation in Delhi
A BJP MLA has approached the Delhi High Court alleging discrimination in the installation of CCTV cameras by the Delhi government. The plea claims that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ruled Delhi government is installing cameras only in areas represented by AAP MLAs and councillors, while areas represented by BJP MLAs and councillors are being overlooked.
The matter is scheduled to come for a hearing before the bench led by the Acting Chief Justice on August 27.
Claims of Discrimination
The petitioner, Abhay Verma, representing the Laxmi Nagar Assembly Constituency, claims that while Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced the installation of 1,40,000 CCTV cameras across Delhi, his constituency was unjustly excluded. The Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) had conducted a survey indicating a need for 2,066 cameras in Laxmi Nagar, but the installation was selectively carried out, benefiting only areas represented by ruling party leaders.
The petitioner, through Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain, asserts that despite multiple representations to the Chief Secretary, GNCTD, the request for CCTV cameras in the remaining wards of Laxmi Nagar has not been addressed.
Discrepancies Highlighted
The petitioner highlights a discrepancy where an AAP councillor’s request for 1,000 cameras in her ward was promptly approved, while similar requests from the petitioner for other wards in the constituency have been ignored. The petitioner argues that this selective installation is adversely affecting the law-and-order situation and safety in the remaining parts of the constituency.
They seek a court order directing the installation of CCTV cameras in the remaining wards of Laxmi Nagar to ensure equitable distribution and enhance security.
Flawed Approval Process
Advocate Satya Ranjan Swain, representing the petitioner, states that the procedure requiring further approval from the minister after a proposal is passed by the Assembly and consulted with the Cabinet Minister is flawed. This process, according to the petition, undermines the authority of the Assembly and grants the minister undue discretion, allowing them to selectively approve projects.
This discretion, the petitioner contends, often negatively impacts constituencies represented by opposition parties, thereby compromising their development. The petition asserts that such executive intervention undermines democratic principles and suggests that eliminating unnecessary approvals could enhance overall state development and fairness in resource allocation.
Doubts Revealed
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party. It is one of the major political parties in India.
MLA -: MLA stands for Member of Legislative Assembly. An MLA is a person elected by the people to represent them in the state government.
Abhay Verma -: Abhay Verma is a politician from the BJP who represents the Laxmi Nagar area in Delhi.
CCTV -: CCTV stands for Closed-Circuit Television. These are cameras used for security and surveillance to monitor areas.
Delhi High Court -: The Delhi High Court is a high-level court in Delhi where important legal cases are heard and decided.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -: Aam Aadmi Party, or AAP, is another major political party in India, known for its focus on anti-corruption and good governance.
Laxmi Nagar -: Laxmi Nagar is a neighborhood in Delhi, which is represented by BJP MLA Abhay Verma.
Constituency -: A constituency is a specific area whose residents vote to elect their representative in the government.
Equitable distribution -: Equitable distribution means sharing something fairly among all people or areas involved.
