Scrutiny on security at Mantralaya
On Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister, reviewed security status at Mantralaya, the state's administrative headquarters, in the wake of increasing anxiety over the state regarding maintenance of administrative security.
The review was hurried and thorough to assess the existing measures as well as ways in which security can be improved to cater to increasing threats and public anxiety. Key officials from law enforcement and intelligence agencies were present during the course of these discussions taking into consideration emergency preparedness during times of great necessity, upgrading on surveillance, and also access control.
While the government has assured the public of strong security at Mantralaya, some experts argue that repeated lapses in vigilance highlight systemic flaws. "Infrastructure improvements without addressing human error don't provide long-term solutions," spoke a security analyst.
The administration has been bashed for the inordinate delay in installing much-needed modern surveillance equipment and training officers and staff in the use of these technologies for dealing with evolving threats. Fadnavis has been sporadically reminding everyone about the "zero compromise" policy on safety that threw the way forward for the vibrant state to ensure the safety of its hub of governance.
Citizens, however, remain divided on whether such "drastic measures" bear fruit and many raise questions whether the review would result in action or yet another bureaucratic exercise.
The next step that the government takes may go a long way towards standardizing administrative security all over India, thus making this review potentially the harbinger of change or yet another missed opportunity.
