Almost 90% police stations in Goa facing staff shortage

Panaji: Nearly 90% of police stations in Goa are facing a shortage of police personnel, and this could hamper investigations in criminal cases. There are 46 police stations across the state, and only six have more personnel than the sanctioned strength.Of the 14 police stations in North Goa, Porvorim, Bicholim, Colvale, and Mopa have more personnel than sanctioned. In South Goa, of 18 police stations, only the Mardol station has more personnel than sanctioned.Of 14 specialised police stations, only the cyber crime police station has more personnel than sanctioned.Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that vacancies are being filled through the Goa public service commission (GPSC) and Goa staff selection commission (SSC).The frequent transfers of Goa police personnel from hard to soft postings have resulted in staff shortages at the busiest police stations and hampered investigations.Most of the busiest stations, including Mapusa, Margao, Maina-Curtorim, Colva, Vasco, Quepem, and Ponda are facing an acute shortage of staff.Earlier this week, the SSC received 5,200 applications for 187 posts of police sub-inspectors. Most applicants are graduates. The total sanctioned strength of male PSIs is 514, and of lady PSIs is 100. The total current strength of PSIs is 369, including 69 LPSIs.Goa police currently face a shortage of personnel, with 10% of positions unfilled. State govt has sanctioned 10,782 different posts for Goa police, and only 9,782 of these are filled.A total of 215 posts of PSIs are vacant, positions that are directly connected to investigations, and 28 posts of direct deputy superintendent of police (DySP) have remained vacant for more than two years.Regarding the direct recruitment, a proposal for filling 28 vacancies of direct recruitment of dySPs was forwarded to the home department in 2023.These vacancies were advertised by the GPSC in Aug 2023. However, govt reiterated the decision to stop the recruitment process, which was conveyed to the GPSC by the department of personnel in Dec 2023.Police said that of 194 PSI vacancies of direct recruitment, a proposal to fill up 152 was started by the SSC a year ago. Another proposal to fill up 35 vacancies was started by the SSC in Jan.