Panaji, Sept 11: Raising serious questions over the manpower situation in the Goa Police, Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai has claimed that a staggering 58 of the 70 sanctioned Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) posts are presently vacant, leaving only 12 posts filled and putting the department’s supervisory structure under considerable strain.

In an urgent note addressed to the Chief Secretary on Thursday, Sardesai demanded immediate government intervention to fill the vacancies and expedite the long-pending promotion of eligible Police Inspectors.

According to figures cited by Sardesai, the Goa Police has 70 sanctioned DySP posts, but only 12 are currently filled — leaving nearly 83 per cent of the sanctioned strength vacant.

Sardesai warned that such a massive shortage at the DySP level could have serious consequences for effective supervision and prompt policing across the state.

He pointed out that because of the shortage, Superintendents of Police are being assigned additional responsibilities of DySPs at multiple locations, adding to the workload of senior officers and weakening the immediate supervisory mechanism within the police force.

“The prolonged vacancies cannot be allowed to continue, particularly when they directly affect the efficiency, supervision and functioning of the Police Department,” Sardesai stated.

Expedite Promotions of Police Inspectors

The GFP president also raised the issue of Police Inspectors awaiting promotion and demanded that genuinely eligible officers be given their due promotions without further delay.

He stressed that promotions must be carried out transparently and strictly in accordance with applicable service rules, seniority and eligibility, rather than allowing key supervisory positions to remain vacant indefinitely.

Sardesai placed four specific demands before the government: immediately initiate the process to fill all 58 vacant DySP posts; expedite pending promotions of eligible Police Inspectors; ensure promotions strictly follow rules, seniority and eligibility; and strengthen the supervisory structure of the Goa Police at every level.

Calling the situation urgent, Sardesai said an adequately staffed supervisory hierarchy was essential for an efficient and responsive police administration.