The State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) might have lost the opportunity, albeit temporarily, to relocate to its new space in Spaces private building; but it has been fortunate. And fortunate because the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS) “ which was given priority over SPCA “ has found itself in a tight spot after a part of the allotted premises was found to be unfit for human habitation.
Government sources informed The Goan that SPCA’s proposal for a new office was approved by the Goa Administrative Department (GAD). However, before the official allotment of a floor in Spaces, the government prioritized AHVS considering its destabilized office building at Patto.
The SPCA, established in April 2007 through a government order that was based on a Supreme Court judgment, operated from a small apartment at Porvorim till it shifted to its current base at Serra Building, near All India Radio at Altinho in 2008.
With gradual changes in the past years such as awareness among citizens about their rights, the authority sought to relocate to a place where complainants have easy access to public transportation. Despite lack of resources and minor hiccups, the SPCA’s functioning is unhindered.
Now as AHVS attempts to resolve its problem, a detailed news report of which was published in The Goan Everyday’s Thursday (November 17) edition, the SPCA patiently awaits allotment of proper premises to carry out its day-to-day functioning.
The constitutional body has to its credit disposing of 496 complaints out of a total 600 filed since its inception in Goa. A total of 104 pending cases are being heard regularly.
After it remained non-functional for over three years in absence of a Chairperson upon the retirement of Justice RMS Khandeparkar in April 2018, the Goa government appointed Retired High Court Judge (Justice) Nutan Sardessai to the Chair in June 2021.
Subsequent appointments of two experts “ Shirish Lawande in September 2021 and retired Director General of Police Indra Dev Shukla in July 2022, as members, has ensured a full-fledged functioning of the SPCA.
Brutality on farmer activist Hanumant Parab and other villagers allegedly by DySP Sagar Ekoskar and PI Prajyot Fadte is among other complaints that the panel is currently holding inquiry into.
