Poor Businessmen Can’t Afford ‘Mandatory’ CCTV Expenses: Trade Bodies.

After the order issued by Srinagar authorities to install CCTV cameras at all business units by April 19 deadline, various shopkeepers and traders on Wednesday said they are willing to comply by the order however their financial situation makes it difficult to them to afford expenses that come with it.

“The business sector has suffered huge losses in valley since last four years. Many are not able to pay EMIs regularly. The order regarding enforcement of CCTV seems taken in haste without taking business class into confidence”, a shopkeeper at Amira Kadal said.

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He said though the decision is a welcome step not only from the angle of law & order but it will help authorities to identify anti-social elements as well, but prior its enforcement all angles should be taken into consideration. 

“How can a shopkeeper pay for a camera when he hardly earn for daily needs. Will admin let their family sleep empty stomach and force them to pay for extraordinary things”, Rafiq Ahmad a trader told. 

As per reports, the Srinagar district has 450 Bazaar Committees who on Wednesday were apprehensive while receiving distressed calls from their business colleagues. The traders stated they have stuck in uncertain situation after Srinagar Police fixed April 19 of this month as deadline for installing CCTV. 

Pertinently, Srinagar Police on Tuesday requested all establishments in the district to install CCTV by April 19, failing which Penal Action would be initiated and FIR lodged against the non-compliance. 

“It is requested to all establishments in Srinagar to install CCTV as instructed via DM Srinagar Order dated 5th April 2022. Non-Compliance of this order may lead to Penal Action and FIR. 19th April is the last date for compliance. CCTVs are for your own protection & deterrence”, Srinagar Police had tweeted. 

District Magistrate Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad on April 5, 2022 ordered installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure for the safety and security of the general public of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in view of prevailing persistent threat, relating to recent increased incidents of selective targeting of the innocent citizens of J&K by the anti-national and subversive elements. 

The order had maintained that installation of CCTVs would not only help in controlling crime but will help in flourishing of business, tourism and overall growth of the society by preventing danger to human life and safety, thwart/prevent terrorist activities, which may improve the security of UT and general public order and tranquility. 

On Verge Of Extinction

Kashmir Traders & Manufactures Federation (KTMF) President, Mohammad Yasin Khan said all shopkeepers in the district are not in a position to install CCTV due to their little earning. 

“It is evident the business sector in Kashmir Valley is at the verge of extinction from past few years. However, it is difficult to bear huge expenses when traders and shopkeepers are in a rejuvenation process”, Khan said. 

“If we have to make CCTVs operations 24 hours, it needs inverter supply which also costs around 30 to 35 thousand. How a poor shopkeepers manage such expenses at this juncture”, Khan said and appealed authorities to revisit the order. 

President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) Sheikh Ashiq said, few shopkeepers can install while rest can’t.

“The administration should have convened a meeting with trade bodies to get their opinion about how to make the decision successful? “There is no clarity in the order. Whether CCTV is installed by only shopping mall owner or each and every shopkeeper has to ensure it. But it is clear small businessmen can’t bear the expenses”, Ashiq added. 

“It is a welcome step however poor shopkeepers who can’t bear the expenses should be given monetary assistance by the administration”, Ajaz Shahdar, President Kashmir Trade Alliance said. 

Several companies who deal with the sale and service of CCTV said the order didn’t impact the markets as sales are usual. 

Muzammil Ahmad Khan, a CCTV dealer said an offline CCTV installation costs 18 to 22 thousand rupees. He however maintained it can inflate more if further cameras need to be installed to cover different angles of the shop.

(News from Rising Kashmir)