PANJIM: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) on Monday vacated the interim order withholding the payment of Rs 51.60 lakh to M/s Amonkar Classic Caterers as the complainant Adv Aires Rodrigues failed to bring on record violation of human rights of the police personnel during the BRICS Summit held In October 2016.
However, the Commission has recommended that the Chief Secretary ensure that catering contracts are awarded, and that tenders are floated at least 15 days in advance and during the events, the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration be involved in checking the quality of food by drawing samples.
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The Commission by an interim order dated October 18, 2016, had ordered not to release the payment of the contractor pending inquiry into the entire episode.
Adv Rodrigues in his complaint had stated that the police personnel deployed on duty during the 2016 BRICS Summit were forced to work for long hours in inhuman conditions without food, water and toilet facilities.
The complainant had sought to examine six witnesses but none of them were examined and in consequence, no evidence was produced on record by the complainant to support his case of unhygienic food being supplied to the police personnel during the four-day BRICS Summit.
In its recommendations, the two-member Commission comprising acting chairperson Judge Desmond D’Costa and member Judge P V Kamat has asked the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to strictly follow the suggestions made by the Chief Secretary vide report dated June 19, 2018 submitted before the High Court of Bombay at Goa in writ petition in 2018. The duo have also been asked to strictly follow the circular dated July 31, 2018, to streamline the arrangement of food, water and toilet facilities to the police personnel, submitted before the High Court
The DGP should ensure that the police personnel deployed for any pre-planned event are not overburdened and sufficient rest is given to them after performance of strenuous duty to avoid any health problem of the police personnel posted for hard and strenuous duty, the Commission said.
The copy of the inquiry report will be sent to both the respondents calling for their comments including the action taken or proposed to be taken within 60 days or on or before February 19, 2024, in terms of Section 18(e) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
