Andhra Pradesh government tables Public Safety Bill

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh government on Friday introduced a bill in the assembly that seeks to introduce certain public safety measures in all establishments in view of the recurring incidents of terror attacks. Finance Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy introduced the AP Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2013 on behalf of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, who has been holding charge of the Home Department as well.

The proposed legislation seeks to make it mandatory for all establishments, where 100 or more people are expected to gather, to provide access controls and install closed-circuit television surveillance cameras. Initially, the proposed legislation will cover all the municipal corporations in the state, including Greater Hyderabad, Greater Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada and may be extended to other areas as may be notified by the state government from time to time.

"The government felt there is an urgent need to introduce certain public safety measures in all establishments in view of the recurring incidents of terrorist violence affecting public safety. The managements of establishments will be required to provide for access controls and closed-circuit television surveillance cameras at all entry-exit points and parking areas," the minister said, while introducing the bill in the House amid din caused by pro-Telangana legislators.

As per the legislation, managements of commercial and industrial establishments will be required to mount electronic surveillance on their respective premises with a provision to store the video footage for 30 days. They will also be required to file 'periodical returns' to the appointed authority once in six months certifying that the prescribed public safety measures are in place and the electronic surveillance equipment is in working condition.

Failure to comply with provisions of the proposed legislation will lead to imposition of a fine of Rs 5,000 for the first month and Rs 10,000 for the second month. The premises will be temporarily sealed in case an establishment management does not implement the safety measures even after the compounding fee was levied. The bill is expected to be passed in the Assembly during the ongoing Budget session which will continue till June 21.