the goan I network
PANAJI
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar promised the setting up of six new police stations, which he said were already sanctioned. New police stations would be set up at Colvale, Navelim, Bambolim, Zuari Nagar, Mardol and Fatorda.
He also announced that the police have been given the financial sanction for 41 four wheelers vehicles and 28 new motorcycles, besides other equipments like hand held challans, alcometers.
Several legislators had raised the demands of additional police as well as more staff pointing out that several problems were faced in view of the fact that either staff was not available or vehicles were not available. Parrikar said part of the problem was the police were busy filing replies to be submitted to various commissions and authorities that they are accountable to including the Human Rights Commission, the State Police Control Authority, etc. "Police service matter cannot be taken up before Human Rights," Parrikar said in a veiled reference to Adv Aires Rodrigues who has repeatedly approached the Goa Human Rights Commission pointing out the conditions of police service. "Demoralisation has set in. They are occupied to give answers to these authorities," Parrikar said.
Parrikar said that the police density in the state was double that what is recommended by the United Nations, three times recommended by the state of Maharashtra and four times national average.
But he said it was needed for traffic control on account of the high vehicle density and the fact that Goa receives as much as 70-lakh tourists in the state per year.
"Our tourism intake has grown by three times what it was in 2012," Parrikar said admitting that the police force is not adequate for that.
Lobo for merging Calangute,
Saligao police stations
PANAJI: Calangute legislator Michael Lobo called for a merging of the Calangute and Saligao police stations which he said were created only because of the differences he had with an ‘ex-MLA'.
"Due to some differences with the earlier MLA, another Saligao police station was created. We need to combine the two. Saligao police station has a strength of 70 constables. We can use that strength. Just because of ego of one ex-MLA that police station was created. Immediately these police stations should be made into one," Lobo said.
