HM Devendra Fadnavis: AI cameras in pubs and bars mandatory

Deputy Chief Minister and Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Legislative Council on Thursday that the installation of AI-based CCTV cameras in pubs and bars has been made mandatory and the implementation process had already started in the state. The excise department had taken a decision in this regard, setting a deadline of 14 days last month, after a hit-and-run case by a drunk underage driver in Pune. The issue is on the anvil in view of similar cases in Mumbai and elsewhere.

The matter came up for discussion in the Council when the Opposition leader Ambadas Danve and others questioned Fadnavis over the Pune case. Danve demanded to know why the Pune city police chief was let off without any disciplinary action, Fadnavis defended the officer, saying that the CP had been very proactive in the case.

Most pubs, bars and restaurants already have CCTV cameras for security purposes. Representation Pic

As the debate progressed, Congress MLC Satej Patil asked Fadnavis to explain more about the AI-based CCTV cameras. He wanted to know about the sharing of feed and the requirement of new rules for maintaining the privacy of patrons. Patil, the former MoS for home, said he had serious doubts about implementation because the state police's existing system like call centres was already overloaded.

Fadnavis said the bars and restaurants were public places where the government could use its authority to have a CCTV camera network installed. "Only the police [and excise department] can have the feed, not any third party. Violation of privacy will be punished," he said. The DCM said if an underage person is allowed in a bar or pub and served alcoholic drinks (the legal drinking age in Maharashtra is 25 years), AI cameras can detect this and provide the evidence to investigators. "These cameras will act as a deterrent and help the investigation if there is any complaint," he said.

How it works

Most pubs, bars and restaurants have CCTV cameras for their own security purpose. But the mandatory installation of AI-based cameras will help analyse images (of patrons in question), provide live images to field officers and also check violations of the time limit (operating hours). The excise department's circular has mandated specific areas for installation, including entry and exit points to detect if underage individuals are allowed in. With advanced wireless tech, live feed may also go to excise offices.

The installation of two cameras at the bar counter will help authorities monitor alcohol supply. As a safety measure, establishments will have to store data for three months and supply the feed to investigators, including the police and excise departments, if there is any complaint regarding violation of rules and regulations. To begin with, the move will be implemented in areas under all police commissionerates and those within a 10 km radius of major towns of Maharashtra.