PANAJI
Close to 11,000 Goa police personnel have taken sick leave in the last over three years, even as the department grapples with some cases of forged medical certificates allegedly submitted to avail themselves of leave.
In a written reply to an unstarred question raised by MLA Chandrakant Shetye on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed that 10,744 police personnel had reported sick and availed leave between April 2022 and July 2025. This means, on average, around 282 sick leaves are reported every month across the force.
The health issues cited by the personnel include hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, gastric issues, viral fever, fractures, ligament tears, diarrhea, kidney stones, spondylitis, lumbago, pharyngitis, vomiting, piles, chest pain, and knee injuries.
“The amount spent on police personnel towards their sickness is Rs 1,00,92,914,” the reply stated.
The department, which has initiated inquiries into some cases of alleged medical certificate forgery, has also been registering FIRs against rogue policemen. The last known FIR was against Constable Nitesh Chodankar for allegedly forging medical certificates to avail leave.
Reliable sources have revealed that some lower-ranking personnel were forging certificates from government hospitals, using fake signatures of Medical Officers and counterfeit official stamps.
Internal inquiries have also exposed that certain personnel were demanding money from colleagues in exchange for forged medical certificates, allegedly sourced from Asilo Hospital. Senior officers have stated that the department is now tightening scrutiny over suspicious cases.
Meanwhile, amid rising concerns over stress and wellness in the force, the assembly reply by Sawant -- also Home Minister -- disclosed that five police personnel have died by suicide and 38 others have left the force either through voluntary retirement or resignation.
The disciplinary data presented in the Assembly listed 107 personnel suspended, 12 terminated and 80 reinstated. No demotions were recorded.
Besides, 378 police personnel have not been transferred for the last five years. The data comes at a time when several personnel allegedly continue to remain in their preferred postings despite transfer orders. In some cases, personnel reportedly return to their original postings unofficially after a brief stint at their new postings.
