Govt sanctions ₹13.78cr for CCTVs in treasuries

KP.Saikiran@timesgroup.com

Thiruvananthapuram:1.5.2020

Despite raising concerns regarding the poor financial condition of the state, the finance department has allotted Rs 13.78 crore for purchasing CCTV cameras and generators as part of the implementation of Information Security Management System (ISMS) in the treasury department.

As per a government order issued on Tuesday, the purchase includes CCTV surveillance system, diesel generator sets, fire extinguishers and queue management and token system equipment.

The ISMS will help obtain ISO 27001certification for the integrated financial management system in the state treasury. The consultancy service for the ISMS was given to M/s Ernest and Young LLP, at a cost of Rs 1.54 crore which was sanctioned in January 2019. The consultant companies considered were Price Waterhouse Coopers Pvt Limited, KPMG and Wipro.

The treasury department’s move to set up additional facilities in its offices comes at a time when bills even to the tune of a few lakh rupees are pending before it and the government is struggling to pay the salaries of the employees. The harsh treasury restrictions that have been put in place due to the financial crunch means only those bills from the administrative departments that are up to Rs 50,000 are being immediately passed.

However, the finance department is of the view that the project cannot wait as it is part of a fool-proof system needed for the treasury going digital.

“As much as 95% of data of financial transactions in our treasury is in the digital mode. The volume is more than that of any commercial bank. So, we need to ensure data security. This project was sanctioned last financial year and 60% of the work has been completed. In order to complete the project, some physical infrastructure need to be set up,” said treasuries director Jafar A M.

A technician installing a CCTV camera in Thiruvananthapuram