PANAJI
At a time when the Goa Police is grappling with a shortage of women police sub-inspectors, there’s one case that stands out.
Ramila Parsekar, a Traffic Police Sub-Inspector, who had opted for Voluntary Retirement (VRS) alleging harassment by her senior and a subordinate only to withdraw her application thereafter, is reportedly without work.
Parsekar had not only retracted her accusations during an inquiry but also withdrew her VRS application last October. Since then, she has not been assigned any tasks nor has she complained of being without work.
The Goan is in exclusive possession of a complaint letter filed by the ‘staff of the Traffic Cell Calangute,’ raising concerns about Parsekar’s conduct. Reporting to duty at her discretion, neglecting daily roll calls, and enjoying the perks of her position without fulfilling any duties, are some of the allegations detailed in the complaint copy.
Frustrated by inaction to their earlier complaints, Parsekar’s colleagues have now called for action against the supervisory officer citing leniency towards her.
“Due to reasons best known to PI Sachin Narvekar and other senior officers of Traffic, LPSI Ramila Parsekar is not allotted any type of duties since October 2, 2023. She comes to the office as per her wishes at any given time and takes rest in the ladies barrack and proceeds to her residence as and when she desires. There are no restrictions laid on her,” reads the complaint, submitted to the Director General of Police Jaspal Singh and Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Akshat Kaushal on February 2.
The staff further highlighted disparities, claiming that Parsekar is exempted from arriving late while others are marked absent for even a slight delay in reporting to work. Likewise, the rest of the staff is required to attend the roll call twice a day but there’s no obligation on Parsekar.
“By simply reporting for duties and not performing any type of duties, she takes home a salary of more than Rs 1 lakh per month. This is gross injustice towards other staff who toil very hard on the roads managing traffic…It is requested to look into the same and take action against the concerned supervisory officers for causing loss to the State exchequer by paying salaries to staff without duty…It is also requested to recover all the money from her salary since October 2, 2023 for not performing any work,” the complainant cops demanded.
Parsekar’s case surfaces at a time when only 11 out of 31 police stations have LPSIs, indicating a severe shortage. Several other LPSIs are either on leave or posted in other police units.
Details available with The Goan further reveal there is a provision for around 100 LPSI positions but currently, only 69 are appointed. Of these, 15 sub-inspectors have recently joined and are undergoing training in Delhi while five others are assigned to the Immigration Bureau at Mopa Airport.
In North Goa, six women sub-inspectors are serving at Old Goa (2), Panaji, Anjuna, Calangute and Bicholim out of 14 police stations whereas South Goa having 17 police stations, has only five LPSIs in Ponda, Collem, Quepem, Colva and Cuncolim.
