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.
Be it the scorching sun, the rains or cold they brave it all to make
the event a success from the security point of view. In return for this service
what they seek is proper food and facilities. But, do they get it?
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.
The incident has highlighted the lack of facilities and poor treatment
meted out to the men in khaki posted on duty for the BRICS 2016 summit.
Herald investigated the quality of food that is being supplied to the
policemen on duty and by any standards – it is of a low standard to say the
least. Almost daily the policemen are getting veg fired 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 the food
for the security staff for four days from October 14 to 17.
Documents available with Herald reveal Rs 260 has been sanctioned by
the government for food (lunch, dinner, breakfast, evening snacks) of each
policemen on duty.
However, the policemen say, this has only remained on paper and in
reality at times they receive nothing or get something at odd times.
Shockingly, 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.
Advocate Aires Rodrigues, who had approached the Human Rights
Commission over the same issue, said he spoke to DGP Muktesh Chander on
Wednesday morning and Chander assured that everything would be taken care off.
“But, with an incident of a constable suffering a heart attack, I will move the
court on Friday,” Rodrigues said.
Arrangement
Rate Staff Total cost
Lunch
105 5000 5,25,000
Dinner
105 5000 5,25,000
Breakfast &
50 5000 2,50,000
Evening snacks
Total Per day
13,00,000
Total (4 days)
52,00,000
