PANAJI
The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has taken serious note of a long-pending sewage problem at the Central Jail, Colvale, observing that the delay in resolving the issue prima facie amounts to a violation of the human rights of inmates and jail staff.
The Commission received an email complaint from Board of Visitors nominee Adv Savio Travasso on August 26, highlighting the sewerage problems within the jail premises. The complaint stated that the foul smell posed a health risk to inmates and that the problem had persisted since 2021 despite repeated follow-ups with Public Works Department (PWD) officials.
The Commission of Chairperson (retd) Justice Bharat Deshpande, and Members Desmond D’Costa and Pramod Kamat noted that the continued sewage problem could expose inmates to hazardous conditions and increase the risk of communicable diseases.
“There appears to be negligence and delay caused by the PWD, and there is a need to ensure that the PWD expedites the work at the earliest,” it observed.
The Commission further held that, prima facie, the continuing conditions affected the human rights of inmates and those working at the Colvale Jail.
“Prima facie, the violations of the human rights of the inmates and those working at the Colvale Jail are affected,” the Commission stated, and issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Prisons and Principal Chief Engineer of the PWD, calling upon them to submit their replies and remain present for the hearing. The matter has been posted for hearing on September 11 at 10.30 am.
