CANACONA
Dirty washbasins and bathrooms, beds without mattresses, cracks on walls and monkeys for company are some of the deplorable conditions at the staff rooms and dormitories for police and excise officials on duty at the Polem check post.
The restrooms are meant to be used by police, excise and other officers posted at the border check post on the Goa side of the Goa-Karnataka border at Polem.
These officers use these rooms for lunch and dinner breaks, to take rest during off-time and after duty at odd hours and for toilet and bathing requirements.
“The rooms are in such bad state that they are even unfit to be compared to a cowshed. In fact, even cowsheds are better maintained,” complained sources posted at the check post.
“Authorities have not paid any attention to the welfare of staff working under immense duress at the check post.”
Added another source: “Very often, monkeys occupy the place and we are forced to adjust or sleep after duty in very unsafe and dangerous conditions.”
“The toilets and washbasins are filthy and the bathroom is such that one is likely to get dirtier instead of cleaner.”
To make matters worse, there are no proper beds and many beds do not have mattresses, forcing personnel to use floor mats to sleep. The kitchen is also unfit for use.
The building, which was built several decades ago, has developed major cracks and the walls could come crashing down.
The walls have not been painted for years, the windows and doors are broken, roof tiles are in disarray and plastic is used to cover the broken roof tiles. Moreover, the border areas do not get regular or proper water supply.
