The Close Circuit Television System (CCTV) at the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) building have become elements for show as the devices are only showing pictures and are not recording anything. This CCTV system was fit in the MMC between 2011 and 2013 to keep an eye on errand employees and to stop irregularities in the office. However, the contractor of this system has benefited with over Rs 3 lakh and the cameras in the corners of the MMC are just eyewash.
The recent case of a forged birth certificate issued by the MMC has raised several questions on about the working of the ‘First Class Municipality’. The MMC is visited by almost all Xaxtikaars as they come to obtain several certificates and documents.
With the number of people visiting the office, corruption and under handed dealings have also been on the rise. Presently, CCTV cameras are installed at most corners of the offices, but these pose only as show pieces. One can easily monitor what is going on in the office complex, but recordings cannot be obtained. This has favoured corrupt employees to take bribes in the office. Additionally, the MMC doesn’t have a stable Chief Officer to handle affairs. Secondly, the CCTV which can be used to keep track, is offline.
Today, every office, be it a government one or a private one, has a CCTV system for surveillance. MMC has never been an exception to this practice. Several births are registered in the MMC as people from Curtorim, Quepem, Sanguem, Curchorem, Shiroda, Cuncolim and Canacona come to Hospicio Hospital in Margao for deliveries.
Cases like the issuance of a fake birth certificate to Renuka Tashildar in the name of an elderly couple have been rampant in the MMC but have gone unnoticed over time. This case has sent alarm bells ringing in Salcete.
Mines Director and ex-Chief Officer, Prasanna Acharya has, in the past gone on record to claim that the technical section of the MMC and the engineers are corrupt. In this case, the role of the employees has been brought to light. In order to counter these kinds of issues, the council, in 2011 installed the CCTV system at a cost of Rs 3.25 lakh. Former Chairperson, Arthur D’Silva, had devised a system where he could see live footage from a computer in his cabin. Excluding the Chairperson’s and the Municipal Engineer’s cabin, all others were fitted with CCTV surveillance. The system was fitted without a tender and was finalized on a quotation system.
According to reliable information, the company looking after the CCTV systems has wound up operations and the entire system has failed. “The entire process of installation of the cameras in the MMC and its upkeep is a big misappropriation,” said RTI activist Sriram Raiturkar. “The work has been done at six different levels so they can favour one individual or a company of their choice. There is definite corruption,” he added.
According to sources, the MMC is now planning to reinstall the CCTV cameras. The council will have to remove the earlier system and spend an equal amount of money to install the new one. Babita Angle, the Chairperson of the MMC confirmed that the process to install a new CCTV system is on.
Rupesh Mahatme, councillor of Margao said, “A properly working system is needed. No one has any idea about the whereabouts of the company that installed the system here. I will raise the issue for discussion at the next council meeting.”
