Team Herald
PANJIM: Pranab Nanda took charge as the Director General of Goa Police on Friday with the ceremonial parade at the Police Headquarters in the State capital. Former DGP Mukesh Chander handed over the charge to the new DGP.
Speaking to media, Nanda said, “Priority will be the people of Goa. Whatever programmes are being carried out which benefit the government and the people of Goa will continue.”
He further said, “Goa is a very important destination and people from around the world come here. Safety of the people and their wellbeing including the tourists will be paramount importance and we will look after that.”
After inspecting the ceremonial farewell parade, former DGP Muktesh Chander applauded the efforts of the personnel during the 3 years of his tenure in the State. He informed that the number of cases pending enquiry had reduced substantially from more than 3000 on January 1, 2016 to 1500 on January 1, 2019.
Indicating that the most successful initiative of his tenure being the Traffic Sentinel Scheme, he said, “If there are shortcomings in the sentinel scheme, then they can be rectified. At the same time the contribution of sentinel scheme in bringing traffic discipline cannot be ignored. And therefore I would say, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”
Recalling Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s assurance to the Assembly that fatal accidents would be reduced to half during the 5 years of his term, Chander said that the fatal deaths have been reduced by 21 per cent and the target of 50 per cent can be achieved.
Referring to the backlash it received from the politicians as well as the public, he said that the Department has submitted its detailed response to the Goa Human Rights Commission explaining the misinformation and rumours that are being spread against the scheme.
“There has been a reduction in the accidental deaths and sentinel scheme has also contributed to this downfall. The sentinel scheme has received two awards,” he added.
