Maharashtra plans CCTV cover for schools after Dadar rape

After the alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl in a Dadar school recently, the state government is planning to install CCTV cameras on school premises in a bid to protect the students.

Maharashtra State Legislative Council chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar said this is a serious issue and the government needs to tackle it effectively by putting advanced surveillance technology. He added that the government may not have funds for the installation of CCTVs, but it can take from the MP, MLA fund. "The government can also use the Corporate Service Responsibility fund," said chairman said.

State education minister Vinod Tawde said this case had gone to the high court and the court had directed that CCTVs be installed to protect the students. "However, earlier when this issue was raised, the discussion was about appointing women attendants in buses. And at that time too it was asked who would pay them. The government cannot take responsibility of everything. Schools too should lay the infrastructure," he added.

He also said it is not mandatory for schools to install CCTVs on their premises. "We are not going to cancel their subsidies and other facilities if they don't. These are just additional measures to protect the students," Tawde said.