GHRC orders probe into 'scam' in food supply to cops at BRICS

The Goa Human Rights Commission today directed state government to conduct a thorough probe into allegations of scam in supply of "substandard" food to on duty police personnel during the BRICS summit here last year.
The two-member commission, headed by retired district court judge A D Salkar, asked the state Chief Secretary to also fix a responsibility on the officers concerned in this regard.
"Going through the reply filed by the state chief secretary, it is apparent that he has not conducted any independent inquiry.
"We therefore direct the chief secretary to conduct a thorough investigation independently and fix responsibility on the defaulting officers," the GHRC stated in a order.

The order was passed in response to a complaint filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues.
He had alleged that a sum of Rs 51,60,000 was given to a private contractorfor supply of food to police personnel, but the contract was sub-let to another contractor who secretly prepared food in an open place owned by the police department, next to the Verna church cemetery.

Directing the Chief Secretary to submit his detailed reportwithin 30 days, the GHRC has adjourned the hearing to April 18.
In his complaint, the activist alleged that roadside labourers were engaged in for cooking the substandard food in most unhygienic conditions.

Rodrigues claimed that insects and cockroaches found their way in the food served to the policemen, as the place where the food was cooked was surrounded by thick bushes and grass.