PANAJI
Looking at the severity of the Covid 19 pandemic and the plight of Goan population, Panchayt Minister Mauvin Godinho expressing his personal opinion said it was the duty of the government to reach out to the Covid victims and their families, and, for that matter, should think of giving some ex-gratia payment as compensation for all victims.
Many have lost their near and dear ones, and these families may be rich or poor, irrespective of their status, the government should reach out to them, said the BJP MLA from Dabolim.
Adding that though this is his personal opinion, the Panchayat Minister who also holds Transport, Housing and Protocol portfolios, held that this should be the government’s view, in the long run, to offer some kind of compensation to the families of Covid victims. Godinho further pointed out that Goa, which celebrated 60 years of liberation this year, has received a fund of Rs 300 crore from the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
“We were expecting that Goa would get at least Rs 100 crore on the occasion of the commemoration of 60 years, however, it was a pleasant surprise that we have been granted Rs 300 crore, and if even Rs 100 crore out of this fund goes to the Covid victims, it would serve as sufficient and adequate compensation and a great relief to the grieving families,” asserted Godinho.
Stressing that in any situation, this decision has to be taken seriously and implemented, Godinho expressed hope that the Cabinet under the leadership of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will take this decision, of granting monetary relief per victim to the families where Covid deaths have occurred. This would serve a great purpose to those who have been affected by this pandemic, stated Godinho.
