Panaji, Oct 23 (TOI): Director of the food and drugs administration (FDA) Jyoti Sardesai has requested the Goa Human Rights Commission for additional time to file its reply in the complaint of human rights violation filed by FDA designated officer (South) Iva Fernandes.

The secretary (health) and FDA are respondents in the complaint filed last month. The FDA, on behalf of the secretary (health) too, informed the commission that it has moved the government over the appointment of a legal counsel in the matter and requested for one month’s time to file their reply.

The commission last month had called for reports from the two respondents over a complaint filed by Fernandes praying for action to be taken for violation of her human rights.

Despite being the South Goa district head she has stated in her complaint that she was being bypassed and kept out of all administrative decisions with regard to food safety after the raid on July 12 subjecting her to humiliation with the intention to disgrace and upset her.

Fernandes also complained of being barred from attending all meetings held by the director along with all food safety enforcement staff of the office and is being kept in the dark on decisions.

She stated that besides being refused earned leave, she is being harassed and penalized for being legally correct and stated that it appeared that the culprits who are involved in damaging the health of the people of Goa are being protected by the director.

She has further stated that ever since July 12, she has received hostile treatment from the director who stopped communicating with her.

Fernandes states that she has been completely isolated in office by the director and is unnecessarily criticized on a regular basis in front of juniors and public and that such treatment is causing severe psychological, physical and mental torture to her.