PANAJI: Stating that the police department is not at all serious in cracking the police-politician-drug peddler nexus and that the police are more interested in protecting their own colleagues, with the investigating team having done no serious efforts to gather evidence in the Atala/Ashish Shirodkar case,

the first report of the demands related to the ad hoc House committee on Home tabled in the House on Thursday recommended that the particular nexus needs to be cracked down on priority and, therefore, the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate in the matter.
The committee, chaired by the leader of the opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar further recommended constitution of a special cell in the police department or Crime Branch under an officer of the rank of Dy SP to monitor all government cases including those that are lodged by police department, all cyber crimes and finally, media for any crimes such as sex rackets, advertisements etc.
“The Committee feels that the Crime Branch be properly trained to handle the criminal cases to prepare better investigation reports during trial proceedings, to increase the conviction rate in general and crime rate in particular,” it recommended, pointing out, “The Committee instructs the government to set up police stations on a priority basis due to the rise in population across the state.”
Taking a look at the casinos in the state, the committee report noted with regret that the government has failed to formulate any regulatory mechanism to govern the functioning of casinos, either in five-star hotels or off shores, in spite of assurances to do so. “Six off-shore casinos operate in River Mandovi of which three are operating without a valid NOC from the Captain of Ports as per the information provided by the home department,” the report stated, further observing that two of the ships are operating without valid D G Shipping licence as per the same data provided, and home department is acting as if it has no responsibilities towards the legal functioning of the casinos. “The committee would like to censure the department without mincing any words,” it said.   
“The committee further notes that the matter of location of off-shore casinos is languishing in the High Court for more than 15 months due to total careless attitude of the government, and in fact, the committee suspects that there are elements in government which are ensuring delay in court decision to the benefit of casinos and detrimental to the interest of aam aadmi,” the report stated, adding “The committee has noted that the Gambling Act has been amended from time to time but the rules have not been framed till date and the answer given by the government is that a comprehensive legislation on gambling will be brought, but till today it has not seen the light of the day.”
The report also maintained, “In the interest of the gamblers, the electronic gambling machines are not calibrated and maintained, there is no agency to monitor the calibration of the machines and casino owners are having a field day as there is no control, thereby giving encouragement to trouble in the future.”
Discussing vigilance, the committee recommended the government to speed up the process of Goa Lokayukta Bill and take urgent steps to bring this Bill to the session for its smooth passage at the earliest possible so as to bring about efficiency and transparency in the system. Observing that there appears to be no serious intentions on the part of the government to strengthen the vigilance department, the report of the committee pointed out, “The committee is aghast to learn about the nullification of reporting of misappropriation in the office of Chief Town Planner due to political interference and strict action needs to be initiated against the erring TCP officials, which should serve as a deterrent for any future violation.”
Speaking about jails, the report maintained, “The committee is saddened to note with pain that in spite of the best efforts for improving administration, a lot of unfortunate happenings are taking place in the jails and instructs the government to enforce better administration by instilling in work, ethics and punishing those who have nexus with the criminals.” Furthermore, it stated, “High profile and ‘Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances’ criminals should be housed in cells that are better managed and monitored properly so as to ensure that these criminals are not provided facilities other than those legally allowed, due to their connections.”
Finally, the committee while taking a strong objection to the fact that in spite of having nearly fifty staffers at Goa Sadan the hospitality levels are sub-standard in nature, recommended that the government should take immediate action to improve the same. It also observed that the expenditure incurred is on the higher side considering the fact that there are only eighteen rooms in the newly-built Goa Sadan and the panel directed the government to investigate the matter. The committee further maintained that only a handful of officials at Goa Sadan can interact in Konkani/Marathi languages with the visitors from Goa and recommended that those drivers selected in service of Goa Sadan without following the current recruitment rules wherein knowledge of Konkani is necessary, should have their services terminated and recruitment process should be started afresh.