Public Safety Measure (CCTV) Act – Across Various States in India
India’s Public Safety Measures Act is a law designed to maintain public safety, security, and order in the nation. While specific provisions of the Act may vary across states, The Act’s principal objective is to give authorities the authority to take preventive measures in order to safeguard peace and public security.
The Act usually targets issues like organised criminal activity, terrorism, and communal violence that could endanger public order. Through these acts States have introduced certain public safety measure to be ensured by the establishments operating in respective states.
What all is included in Establishment?
Establishment in all states includes commercial establishments, industrial establishments, religious places, educational institutions, hospitals, sports complexes, railway stations, bus stations, places of organized congregations and such other establishments as declared by the Government, to be an establishment for the purpose of this Act.
What is Public Safety Measure?
“Public Safety Measures” means Access Controls or Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Camera Systems at entry and exit points of the establishments and their designated parking areas by installing, –
- Access Controls through physical or technical means or both;
- Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Camera Systems with a provision for storage of video footage for thirty days;
- The technical equipment, as per the specifications as may be prescribed.
Each state specific law has provisions which includes CCTV at entry and Exit points of the establishments and their designated parking and preservation of recordings of these CCTV for a specified period.
List of Public Safety Measures Act Notified in various States:
| State and Act | Applicability |
Brief Compliances |
|
Gujarat- |
Every owner or manager or the persons running an establishment frequented by 1000 people in any gathering or having 1000 footfalls per day. | – Save/store CCTV video footage properly for a period of 30 days.
-Public Safety Measure shall be ensured.
|
| Telangana- Telangana Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2013 | Establishments means a place frequented by large number of people with a likelihood of public gathering of 100 people or more at a time. | – Save/store video footage properly for a period of 30 days.
-Public Safety Measure shall be ensured.
– Periodic Return to Police on compliance with the public safety measure in every 6 months. |
| Assam- Assam Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2023 |
Act applies to:
– Every owner, society, manager, or persons running an establishment with at least five people must provide and maintain public safety measures. |
– Save/store video footage properly for a period of 30 days.
-Public Safety Measure shall be ensured.
– Periodic Return to Police on compliance with the public safety measure in every 6 months. |
| Andhra Pradesh- Andhra Pradesh Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2013 | Establishments means a place frequented by large number of people with a likelihood of public gathering of 100 people or more at a time. | – Save/store video footage properly for a period of 30 days.
-Public Safety Measure shall be ensured.
-Periodic Return to Police on compliance with the public safety measure in every 6 months. |
| Bihar- The Bihar Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2024 | Every owner or manager or the persons running an establishment frequented by such number of people or having such number of average foot falls per day or likelihood of gathering of such number of people at a time as the Government may by notification declare, shall provide and maintain public safety measures for the safety and security of the people visiting such establishments. | – Save/store video footage properly for a period of 30 days.
-Public Safety Measure shall be ensured.
|
| Madhya Pradesh- Indore Community Cameras (Surveillance) Bye-laws 2024 | This Law applies to all the establishments.
“Establishment” refers to any location that falls under any of the below-mentioned criteria: – likely to be frequented by large numbers of people, specifically gatherings of 100 individuals or more, or – Has an area of 1500 square feet or greater, or |
– Video Recording must be saved in the format specified for 30 days, ensuring 24×7 connectivity of CCTV
– There shall be clear signage stating “the area is under CCTV surveillance” and contact information of concerned authorities for complaints.
-CCTV cameras must be placed in a direction that covers all entry, exit, and parking areas of the establishment. – Annual returns certifying compliance with public safety measures
|
| Tamil Nadu-
The Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Installation of Closed Circuit Television Units in Public Buildings) Rules 2012 |
In every public building, within territorial area of an urban local body. | -CCTV shall be placed at a rate of one unit for every 300 Square meter of floor area or part thereof.
-CCTV cameras must be placed in a direction that covers all entry, exit, and parking areas of the establishment.
|
| Karnataka-
Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2017:
|
Establishment means a place frequented by large number of people with a likelihood of public gathering of 100 people or more at a time or 500 per day. | – Save/store video footage properly for a period of 30 days.
-Public Safety Measure shall be ensured.
-Periodical Return to Police on compliance with the public safety measure in every 3 months. |
| Maharashtra-
Voluntary Code of Practice – For CCTV based Surveillance by Public and Private Establishments in Navi Mumbai |
This code shall be applicable to :
– Public institutions like Electricity Board, Collectorate, Railways, etc. |
– Carefully place the CCTV cameras to cover all the areas of vulnerability with proper angle and visibility, so that the CCTV feeds give the clear picture of the activity and identify individuals.
– To notify that “The Area is under Video Surveillance” wherever CCTV is placed.
– The establishments shall store the video feeds from a minimum of 5 days.
– Periodic review and assessment (atleast once in 3 months, preferably by the third party firms) of the CCTV system.
-Every establishment shall share data about their CCTV System and the vendor to Navi Mumbai Police |
The purpose of public safety measures acts is to prevent and protect the public from danger, injury, or property damage. These acts can also regulate the entry of people into certain areas. All the Establishment are advised to check the applicability of the Public Safety measure act in the states they are have operations in and comply with the provisions of the law.
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