The legislators questioned if the High Court had, around May, directed the state to install CCTV cameras in all the schools before the commencement of the academic year to prevent incidents of sexual abuse and ensure student security
Minister Dadaji Bhuse informed that all regional offices have been asked to expedite the CCTV installation process in government schools. Representational pic
The Maharashtra government came under scrutiny on Wednesday during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the state Assembly over delays in the installation of CCTV cameras in government-run schools across the state. A starred question jointly raised by over 35 MLAs, including senior leaders such as Vijay Wadettiwar, Vikas Thakare, Nana Patole, and Aslam Shaikh, sought clarification from the School Education Minister on the status of compliance with a Bombay High Court directive mandating CCTV coverage in schools to enhance student safety.
The legislators questioned whether the High Court had, around May, directed the state to install CCTV cameras in all the schools before the commencement of the academic year to prevent incidents of sexual abuse and ensure student security. They further asked if the state had been given a two-month timeline for the implementation of the High Court direction, and whether only 50,000 out of the total 1,05,052 schools had CCTV systems installed so far.
The query also highlighted an alleged delay in the implementation in Yavatmal district, where an allocation of Rs 9 crore under the District Planning Committee (DPC) was reportedly made for CCTV installation in 395 schools, but the work remained incomplete as of May.
In response to the queries, School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse confirmed that while the High Court had indeed directed the government to ensure CCTV installation for student safety, no specific timeline of two months was outlined in the order. He added that the figure of 50,000 schools with CCTV systems was “partially true” and that efforts are ongoing to expand coverage.
Clarifying the situation in Yavatmal, Bhuse said that Rs 59.75 lakh was sanctioned in 2023–24 for CCTV installation in 17 model schools under the District Annual Plan. For 2024–25, the Yavatmal Zilla Parishad proposed a budget of Rs 9.85 crore for 395 high-enrolment schools, but the funds are yet to be released. Additionally, Rs 1.98 crore, sourced from unspent and saved funds under the 15th Finance Commission for the years 2020–21 and 2021–22, has been earmarked for installations. Based on a government order dated June 26, 2025, orders have been issued for installing CCTV systems in 80 Zilla Parishad schools.
Bhuse informed the House that a Government Resolution dated May 13, 2025, has been issued, followed by a circular from the Director of Primary Education on May 21, 2025, directing all regional offices to expedite the CCTV installation process in government schools.
While the government reiterated its commitment to ensuring student safety through surveillance infrastructure, the opposition expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of implementation, urging immediate action to protect schoolchildren across the state.
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