Staff Reporter
Panaji
Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar has sought an explanation from the Goa Police Sports Cell over the signing of non-amateur football player contracts with ten policemen, amid allegations of discrepancies and procedural irregularities.
According to sources, the contracts signed for the current season from January 30 to May 31 were executed without prior approval from the department. Additionally, the identities of the involved policemen were allegedly withheld, and no financial approval or budgetary sanction was obtained.
Each contract reportedly entitles the players to a monthly payment of Rs 5,000. However, concerns have been raised regarding the legality of such contracts, particularly whether government employees, such as policemen, can be contracted and paid separately for sporting roles while already drawing salaries from the department. Kumar is seeking clarification on the matter from the officer concerned on the matter. The Goa Police Sports Club was promoted to the Goa Professional League in May last year after winning the Goa Football Association (GFA) First Division League.
This is not the first time the sports cell has come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, the department suspended IRB constable Rajesh Salgaonkar—attached to the sports cell—after an audio clip surfaced in which he allegedly boasted about his influence in securing officer transfers.
