Panaji, July 19 (UNI) Goa government has urged the Centre to allocate more funds for modernisation of the police force as only Rs 2.07 crore was allocated for current fiscal, Home minister Ravi S Naik told the state legislative assembly today.

The government was also making efforts to modernise the fire services wing with latest fire fighting gadgets to meet any emergency, he said.

Ruling out nepotism in recruitment of police personnel, he said the process was being done in a transperant manner.

Replying to a debate on the budget demands in the House, the Home minister said a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory would be ready at Verna shortly even as the police training station at Valpoi would be provided with latest gadgets, including finger print technology.

Pooh-poohing opposition charge, Naik said the tourists had been witnessing a decline in cases of rape and dacoit over the years even as efforts were made to improve law and order besides strengthening the police.

Efforts were also being made to improve conviction rate in future with prosecuting agencies initiating training and orientation courses for the investigating officers, he said.

The Minister said, the police had stepped up vigil against drug peddlers, matka gamblers and rave parties in the state. The government had not received any complaints of holding of rave parties.

The minister said government would not spare any foreigner overstaying in the state and indulging in drug trafficking and other criminal offences.''We have to get Goa rid of drugs,'' he averred.

The government had also started encouraging sports among the police personnel by allowing them to participate in different sports meet.

Earlier, the BJP opposition leader Manohar Parrikar and SGF leader Churchil Alemao made a fervent plea to the government to check drug trafficking in Goa, particularly with the nexus of certain blacksheep in the police.

UNI