Spat with tourism minister

MARGAO: DySP (Traffic) Lawrence D'Souza has forwarded the inquiry report against a traffic constable to SP (Traffic) Arvind Gawas for further action. Sources said the constable has admitted in his submission that while on duty on March 2 at the Hospico hospital junction, he had taken a break to drink water.
Whether he was attending a phone call as alleged by tourism minister Francisco Pacheco in his complaint to the police or the constable was drinking water is irrelevant, as the constable has admitted that he was not on duty at the time when there was a traffic jam, the traffic cell has maintained.
The minister, who was on his way had taken objection to the dereliction of duty by the constable and also complained that when questioned, the police personnel behaved arrogantly. However, the constable filed a written complaint to Margao town police stating that the minister abused him. The complaint, as per law should be registered for a fair trial, said officers from the police department. While Gawas is empowered to take any disciplinary action, any criminal complaint would need to be filed with the Margao town police under whose jurisdiction the incident occurred.