Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Tuesday (November 18) said the government is reviewing the proposed procurement of body cameras to ensure transparency, rational planning and appropriate use in sensitive operational areas.
The initial proposal sought a very large number of body cameras, prompting the committees to ask the authorities concerned to revisit the plan, pricing and procurement method, he told reports after meetings of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat.
He said the revised plan should adopt a more rational, need-based approach.
“The procurement should be rational. We suggested that body cameras be used in particularly sensitive and critical areas, not everywhere,” he said, adding that the Home Ministry shares the same view.
The adviser said the purpose of introducing body cameras is to strengthen monitoring, improve accountability and support evidence-based action.
Read more: Govt to decide on body camera purchase for police within days: Finance Adviser
“The idea is not to deploy body cameras indiscriminately but to ensure they serve their intended purpose where sensitivity and oversight are crucial,” he added.
On whether the number of cameras will be reduced, Dr Salehuddin said rationalisation is likely.
“The number will be reduced, but I cannot say by how much at this stage. We will be able to comment once the revised proposal is submitted,” he said.
He added that the revised proposal will be placed very soon.
On September 23, the government approved procurement of around 40,000 body cameras for police personnel ahead of the national election scheduled for February.
The cameras are to be procured through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure quality, transparency and neutrality. Dr Salehuddin earlier said buying through UNDP would help avoid controversies over quality and pricing as international tenders would be floated and responsibility placed with the agency.
Read more: Govt okays procurement of new firearms for Ansar and VDP