PANJIM: Be it the Goa Legislative Assembly session, peak tourist season, festivals or any other conference or summit, the men in khaki – the Goa Police personnel – are the ones who face the music.
On Thursday, a constable suffered a heart attack possibly due to the odd and tough duty hours and the poor quality food. Constable Jeevan Gaonkar, deployed for the BRICS summit, collapsed while on duty and fell unconscious. He was rushed to the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), Bambolim, where he is presently battling for life in the ICU.
Has the incident highlighted the lack of facilities for the men in khaki posted on duty for the BRICS 2016 summit? Well, just about
Herald investigated the quality of food that is being supplied to the policemen on duty. Almost daily the policemen are getting vegetable fried rice which is dry in nature and difficult to digest, policemen say.
What is shocking is that the State is spending Rs 52 lakh on this food for the security staff for four days from October 14 to 17.
Documents available with Herald reveal Rs 260 per head has been sanctioned by the government for food (lunch, dinner, breakfast, evening snacks) of each policemen on duty.
But even this, policemen say, is hard to come by or they get something at odd times. The same food is provided to the CRPF companies and NSG commandos who have been placed on duty in the State.
An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) alleged that the force survives on the water, soft drinks and snacks given by members of the public.
“Motorcade rehearsals begin at 4pm everyday, but we have been kept on our feet for 10 consecutive hours for six days,” the ASI said, adding that the situation of women police officers is even worse as they have to restrict water intake due to poor toilet facilities.
