PANAJI
The Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) played a Good Samaritan for its colleague, whose salary was discontinued by the government as he could not return to work after suffering a 100 per cent disability sustained in a serious road accident over five years ago.
The elite unit managed to get an order from the Home Department to restore IRB 3rd Battalion constable Dinesh Dessai’s salary including arrears. Deputy Inspector General of Police Bosco George took over the matter learning that IRB staff was struggling to get their colleague’s salary under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act 2016.
Dessai sustained head injuries in a self-accident on June 9, 2017, that left him bedridden in a state of 100 per cent disability. After exhausting his Earned Leave and Sick Leave, his salary had to be discontinued. It was during George’s visit to Chandreshwar IRB camp that he learnt about the matter being dragged on for years.
Dessai’s mother had submitted his disability certificate and the file was forwarded to Under Secretary (Law)/ Home for protection cover under section 20 of the Disability Act. However, the Under Secretary (Home) returned the file with observations stating, “Take action in the matter in terms of rules in force at the end of Head of Office, and to examine the matter in terms of CCS (Medical Examination) Rule “ 1957.”
The IRB Commandant directed the process to be monitored by the PI Administration of the IRB 3rd Battalion.
“When we visited him at his residence, it was distressing seeing his condition and the economic hardship. Our staff was persistently following up with the Home Department which had rejected the request for his salary under the Disability Act. After intervening with all concerned at the Secretariat and getting him examined by the medical board, we were finally able to get the order restoring his salary including arrears,” George, who is also the IRB Commandant, said.
George and his team visited his residence again to hand over the government order. “It was indeed very fulfilling to see a smile on his face as well as his mother who showered her blessings on the staff of Goa Police and the staff of Chandreshwar IRB Camp for being available in their time of need,” the IPS officer added.
