Seminar discusses police Bill
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 29
Ahead of State Legislative Assembly Session, Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) on Saturday organized a seminar on ‘Goa Police reforms Bill’ to ensure that a proper people friendly bill is passed in the assembly.
Citizens have been raising their strong objections against the Goa Police Bill 2008 which was introduced at the Assembly Session in 2008.
“It has been studied that if the Bill in the present form is passed, Citizens’ Democratic Rights can be infringed upon without any channels of accountability or redressal. Citizens have time and again written to the Select Committee to conduct public consultations on the Bill,” CPJP convener Fr Mavrick Fernadnes said.
It is reportedly learnt that the Bill is now going to be tabled at this forthcoming Assembly Session slated to begin on Monday.
One of their fresh proposals includes an effective Police Complaints Authority and that powers of the Authority should be transferred to the Lokayukta, which at present does not exist in the State.
The members have suggested setting up ‘special security zones’ at places where the crime rate is high and law and order situation is under threat.
“The new Police Bill must ensure guidelines regarding appointment and removal of Director General of Police. Besides, the new Bill should entrust Goa Establishment Board powers of the Supreme Court that determines transfer and promote police officials on basis of merits and not at the whims of politicians,” said one of the members.
CSJP also asked that views of the common men should be taken into account while drafting a new bill.
