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The Gujarat government has finally approved the installation of CCTV cameras in boys’ and girls’ hostels operating under Samagra Shiksha across various districts of the state. Under the decision, CCTV cameras will be installed in more than 320 hostels for students from Classes 6 to 12 at an estimated cost of ₹31.58 crore. More than 260 of these are girls’ hostels.

Proposal approved eight months after submission

The state government approved a proposal submitted by the Office of the Director of Primary Education around eight months ago and allocated ₹31.58 crore for the project.

Several hostels attached to government and grant-in-aid schools under Samagra Shiksha, including Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas in different districts, did not have CCTV cameras. Taking note of the proposal submitted in November last year, the government included the installation of CCTV cameras in all such hostels as a new provision in this year’s budget.

Following the budget announcement, the Education Department has now issued a formal resolution to implement the project across all eligible hostels in the state.

More than 260 girls’ hostels to get CCTV coverage

Of the more than 320 hostels covered under the scheme, 265 are Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya hostels, including newly established ones. The list also includes 13 PM Janman hostels approved in recent years, along with DA-JJUA hostels set up in tribal areas under a new scheme introduced by the Education Department over the past two years.

According to the government order, each hostel will be equipped with 10 to 15 CCTV cameras, depending on its requirements. District project offices have been directed to identify all boys’ and girls’ hostel buildings and ensure the installation of surveillance systems.

CCTV systems to store footage for at least 30 days

The government has stipulated that the CCTV systems must have the capacity to store footage for a minimum of 30 days. A grant of ₹31.58 crore has been sanctioned for the project.

The resolution also states that if the allocated funds remain unspent for two consecutive years, the administrative approval will automatically stand cancelled.