Dept claims vehicles will be used only for patrolling mining-affected areas
PANAJI
Goa police are set to induct four new Scorpio vehicles, at a whopping cost of over Rs 1.10 crore, in their fleet for daily patrolling in the mining affected areas. Interestingly, all these vehicles – two each for North and South – would be procured with funds under District Mineral Foundation (DMF) – which are meant for spending on high priority areas for welfare of the affected people.
During the Governing Council meeting of North and South DMG, held last month, Superintendent of Police (SP) South claimed that the vehicles would be used to transport injured or deceased during rainy days in the remote areas of South Goa.
The Governing Council, approved the proposal to purchase four Scorpio Vehicles, costing Rs 28 lakh each, and directed the department to ensure that the vehicles are used only in the mining affected areas and that the vehicles should have appropriate branding of DMF. The approval was granted even as the SPs office failed to furnish the realistic amount of the vehicles.
As per guidelines, DMF fund is supposed to be spent on high priority areas for welfare of people and areas affected by mining related operations. Health, education, irrigation and women empowerment are areas which are considered priority sectors. Vehicles for police certainly have not found place in the guidelines meant for DMF fund utilisation.
During the meeting, the Goa Mineral Ore Exporters Association (GMOEA) – the apex industrial body – was, however, inquisitive as to how the proposal will benefit the people from mining areas and also questioned the department’s failure to purchase vehicles from their budget head.
The South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes had also raised red flags towards the proposal questioning why the department cannot make budgetary provision within, so that the DMF funds can be utilised for more beneficial work to the mining community.
Surprisingly, the Office of Superintendent of Police North and South both informed the Council that there is no specific fund provision for such a project.
While the North SP informed that the vehicles would be used extensively for patrolling in mining areas of Bicholim and Sattari, SP South said that the vehicles will cater to the mining affected areas during emergency calls in remote areas, especially in the rainy season.
“During emergency transportation of injured or deceased also becomes the challenge. In order to overcome such conditions smoothly, the proposal is placed for funding,” the SP said.
The SPs informed that they will purchase the base model vehicles with less price and all the operation, maintenance and fuel cost will be borne by the police department.
