The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) Tuesday directed the state's Director General of Police to impose appropriate penalty on those who provided unhygienic food to police personnel deployed during the 2016 BRICS summit held near here.

Acting Chairman of the Goa Human Rights Commission A D Salkar, in his order, also asked the DGP to ensure personnel deployed for any such pre-planned event are not overburdened and that sufficient rest is given to them.

The order was given on a complaint filed by social activist Aires Rodrigues on October 14, 2016.

In it, Rodrigues contended that the Rs 51.60 lakh food contract was given to one Amonkar Classic Caterers without a proper tender.

The contract, it alleged, was then sublet to a roadside vendor who prepared the meals meant for the police on an open plot in Verna.

The complaint said water used for the cooking was stored in open plastic barrels and insects and cockroaches from the thicket around the plot made their way into the food.

Tuesday's order also directed the government to strictly follow a circular issued on July 31 last year on welfare measures for the police personnel, as well as suggestions made by the state's chief secretary in this connection which was submitted to the High Court last year.

Stating that Article 21 of the Constitution provides every individual the right to life with decency and dignity, the order observed that unhygienic food supplied to the police personnel during the 2016 BRICS summit was a clear infringement of it.

The BRICS summit was held on October 15-16, 2016 in Benaulim, over 35 kilometres from here.

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