MAPUSA
Claiming that various hospitals charged different rates for the Covid-19 test in the State, the Congress on Saturday said the government should at least spare sportspersons and refrain from charging them for the coronavirus test.
“The BJP-led government failed to provide succour to the needy at the height of the Covid crisis in the State. At least, the government should now allow free testing for Covid to sportspersons who want to travel out of Goa,” said Vijay Bhike, President of North Goa District Congress Committee.
The North Goa District Congress Committee chief was addressing a news conference along with district members Sikander Swar and Aman Khan in Mapusa.
Continuing, Bhike said the government was charging Rs 2,000 for Covid-19 test at the Asilo in Mapusa while the charge for the same test in three different private hospitals in Mapusa was Rs 2,450, 1,500 and 1,180.
“The testing procedure is the same but the rate to conduct the tests varies from hospital to hospital. Cannot the government cap the testing rates?” he said.
Bhike then sought to remind how during the height of the Covid crisis the government had capped the rates for the Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals which went to lakhs of rupees.
He further said the new central government insurance scheme was launched with much fanfare but Covid was not covered under the scheme.
He said the Congress party on Monday will hand over a memorandum to the deputy collector, who is the nodal officer for Covid in Bardez.
The North Goa District Congress Committee chief also slammed the government for dangling the jobs carrot just before the elections.
“The announcement of providing 10,000 jobs is nothing, but a white lie which is made with an eye on the elections. Similar job promise was made just before the 2017 assembly election and everyone knows the result,” Bhike said.
‘Cong to discuss Mapusa civic polls’
MAPUSA: North Goa District Congress Committee President, Vijay Bhike informed that the Congress would not shy away from aligning with like-minded parties to put up a panel for the ensuing civic elections in Mapusa.
“We will be holding a meeting with all ex-councillors to discuss about the strategy to contest in the elections for the Mapusa Municipal Council on January 25. Former chairperson and Congressman Sudhir Kandolkar will also take part in the confabulations,” Bhike said.
He said several leaders from other opposition parties were in contact with the Congress and ready to field joint candidates in the wards. “We will tie-up with opposition parties and give good candidates to the people of Mapusa in the civic polls,” he said.
In the past, Congress attempts to cobble up a panel of joint candidates came a cropper in Mapusa, with many preferring to contest as independent candidates.
