PANAJI
Director General of Police Dr Muktesh Chander on Thursday submitted before Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) that a proposal has been moved to create another 4,629 posts in Goa Police in order to improve working hours of police personnel.
The GHRC headed by retired District Judge A D Salkar and comprising J A Keny heard the complaint filed by Adv Aires Rodrigues that policemen in the State were being made to work very long hours amidst pathetic and very appalling working conditions.
The DGP in his reply stated that no other State has been able to implement the eight-hour shift for police personnel. He further pointed out no complaints have been received from police personnel on pathetic working and living conditions at police stations.
Despite the increase in manpower, the DGP pointed out that is not possible to allow police personnel to work only for eight hours on account of the multifarious duties in the police department. GHRC was informed that there has been a substantial increase in the police force since 1981.
He sought to point out that police personnel are regularly given casual and other leave as per their request, adding that deployment stretches beyond eight hours only in exceptional circumstances of law and order, VVIP bandobast and events of high magnitude, and in these situations, they are provided food packets and mobile toilets.
GHRC has directed the Chief Secretary to file his reply while adjourning the matter to January 19.
Adv Rodrigues, in his complaint, had alleged that most policemen get a break only after many days of work has stated that this has been taking a toll on their personal lives as well as health.
It may be recalled that following the government decision to ban recruitment in all departments owing to the upcoming Assembly polls, recruitment to around 500 posts of Goa Police was shelved.
