PANAJI: The Goa State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) on Tuesday directed the Chief Secretary of Goa to probe allegations of a scam in supply of the reportedly low-quality food to the security personnel deployed at the BRICS summit in South Goa.
The Commission, headed by former District Judge A.D. Salkar and J.A. Keny, has further directed that payment to the caterers be withheld till the inquiry is completed.
Adjourning the matter to November 2, the Commission directed the Chief Secretary to submit an interim report of the investigation within 10 days.
Acitivist and lawyer Aires Rodrigues had submitted a report to the Commission on Tuesday, stating that a contract of Rs. 51,60,000 given to a private caterer was sub-let to a road side contractor who clandestinely prepared the food in an open space, owned by the police department near the Verna Police in South Goa.
The report claims that road side labourers were hired to make the food, which was prepared in unhygienic conditions. It also claims that insects and cockroaches were found in the food.
Mr. Rodrigues, in his complaint last week, had stated that despite the Commission’s directive to the State government, on several occasions, the authorities failed to make suitable arrangements for security personnel. He also alleged imposition of long working hours on policemen.
