Goa Police Bill referred to select committee in the Assembly

Panaji, Aug 29 (UNI) The Goa Police Bill-2008, considered a comprehensive legislation to enable the police force to deal more effectively with the law and order situation to ensure peace and tranquility, was today referred to a select committee of the State Legislative Assembly.

The nine-member committee will be headed by Home Minister Ravi S Naik, the minister told the House when the bill came for consideration and approval on the last day of the Budget Session today.

The 68-page bill reiterates the need for redefining the role of the police, its duties and responsibilities, by taking into account the emerging challenges of policing and security of the state, the imperatives of good governance and respect for human rights.

It was aimed at ''empowering the police personnel to carry out functions as an efficient, effective, people-friendly and responsive agency,'' the Home Minister said in its preamble.

Apart from constituting the ''police service for the state,'' the bill seeks to set up a State Police Commission and Police Establishment Board.

The state police force in Goa has at present been functioning under the Police Act 1861, The Police Act 1888 and the Madras District Police Act, 1859, which had been extended to Goa when it was a union territory.

Apart from redefining the police duties and functioning of its various wings, it had also spelt policing in the context of public order and internal security challenges, while making special provisions for policing.

It had also cited welfare and grievance redressal mechanisms besides offences against the police and the public, and police accountability.

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