Rane: Conflict of interest prevented implementation of Police Act
TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Emphasizing the need to bring about changes in the laws to meet the requirements of the 21st century, Leader of the Opposition, Pratapsing Rane on Sunday said the Police Act passed by the Goa Legislative Assembly could not be implemented in the state as it did not find favour with the IAS lobby.
Speaking at the release of an autobiography by former Superintendent of Police (retd) V V Vernekar “Such Am I Vishnudas” at the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on Sunday, the former Chief Minister said that Act passed by the then Legislative Assembly also came in for opposition from the then Chief Secretary over a conflict of interest between the IAS and IPS lobbies.
“The Police Act was brought in the Legislative Assembly after a process of consultations and even visit to Singapore and capitals of various states in the country. Former West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu was also in favour of the Police Act which was based on the Delhi Commissionerate system”, he said.
Rane pointed out that the Police Act passed by the Assembly should be pursued by the government, while underling the need to bring about changes to outdated laws.
He also stressed on the need to make available modern weapons to the police force to deal with the changing face of crime, including terrorism. Today, terrorists are marked with weapons such as AK-47, while our personnel are still equipped with the rifles, he lamented.
Calling for self discipline amongst the citizens to solve many a problem facing the society, Rane said people are opposing helmets for pillion riders when the death rate on account of accidents is rising day by day.
“Recently, I was in Jaipur, and I found both the rider and the pillion rider use helmets. Here in Goa, people raise a hue and cry”, he added.
In his address, the former Police superintendent, V V Vernekar hoped that his autobiography will help the new generation get an insight into the police system and his life journey.
