MARGAO
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai has written to the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant urging him to immediately deploy the Rs 100 crore MLA Local Area Development Fund to accelerate Goa’s vaccine drive.
In an email letter, Sardesai wrote, “Goa continues to reel into the dark misery of breathlessness amongst Covid patients across the state… it is saddening to see the grim situation our beloved Goa is in, as the second wave of Covid infections completely took the government by storm.”
Sardesai urged all the MLAs “to come together in this fight against coronavirus as Goans first and not party affiliated Goans.” He added that “the lack of preparation, management and efficiency has been concerning, and the people of Goa are running out of air to breathe, and also the hope of effective government leadership.”
The Goa Forward Party President stressed on the need to urgently utilise the budgetary provision of Rs.100 crores of the MLA Local Area Development Fund allocated in the budget of 2021-2022 to procure and administer vaccines for both first and second doses for all Goans across the state.
“As per expert medical advice, an effective vaccination drive would prevent further increase of new infections and would significantly reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 related complications leading to death”, he added.
He pointed out to a recent New York Times graph that depicts Goa as not only the highest global example of new Covid cases amongst 100,000 people but also as having the slowest vaccine drive to tame the virus. “Goa can improve on this if the government deploys the available funds and resources to roll out an efficient vaccine drive”, he added.
“Goa can definitely prevent its next health crisis or a potential third wave, but the government need to be proactive.” He urged the CM to draw on his advice and collaboration, and said Goans do not deserve to be in this situation. “let us help you help our people.” He added.
Cong blames govt carelessness
for sufferings of people in Goa
MARGAO: Leader of Opposition, Digambar Kamat has said it is sad that people are suffering due to careless and irresponsible behaviour of the BJP Government headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“The arrogant BJP government must shed away its ego, listen to the valuable and constructive suggestions of the opposition and stop the sufferings of the Goans. We need to be ready now to face the third wave of Covid. As opposition, we are ready to give all help to the government. I only hope that government listens to our suggestions and dont ridicule it as politics”, Kamat said in his statement.
He said it really frustrating to watch the devastation which took place due to Cyclone Tauktae. “We are lucky that the Goa was not the focal point of the cyclone which would have multiplied the damages. Despite, me warning the government on 2nd May 2021 to start preparing for disruptions during monsoons, no action was taken”, he said.
The Opposition leader said it is shocking that despite IMD giving advance warning of the cyclone, no efforts were made by the government to create awareness. “BJP government which is otherwise obsessed with publicity for glorification of the party functionaries, did not issue a single advertisement giving details with phone numbers of nodal officers in disaster management and information on other preparedness to face the cyclone”, he said, while requesting the Chief Minister to have a look at the cyclone awareness campaign launched by the neighbouring state of Maharashtra taking into consideration the Covid situation.
“BJP Government must wake up now and start working on war footing to ensure that nothing goes wrong during the four month long monsoons. Yesterday, power supply was interrupted at the oxygen production plant as well as GMC. I have reports that some Covid Care Centres faced power failures. It is the responsibility of government to ensure that no more lives are lost due to government apathy”, Kamat said.
He added: “It is appalling to see water coming inside the Covid ward in the newly commissioned Super Speciality Block of GMC with the roof collapsing. We have advanced technology today to design structures taking into consideration the weather conditions in a particular State. It is unbelievable to see the glass facade of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium blown away with the winds. It is only luck and destiny that no harm was caused to the covid patients admitted”.
Kamat demanded that the government must conduct an inquiry, fix responsibilities and bring all those responsible for this sub-standard work to justice.
Deaths of two Cong
workers condoled
MARGAO: Navelim MLA Luizinho Faleiro has said Congress Party has lost two of its main soldiers who were committed and dedicated to social work & always remained loyal to the party.
“They always helped the needy and were available in the day as well as the night. It is sad that none of us could give them any help in the last moments of their life and save their lives “, Faleiro said at a condolence meeting organised by the Congress Party at South Goa District Congress Office to pay respected to GPCC Secretary Franky Pires and former Sarpanch & South Goa District Secretary Paulo Colaco who passed away a few days back.
“I am feeling lost with the passing away of two of my close aides Franky Pires and Paulo Colaco. They worked with sincerity and honesty. This is a irreparable loss for the Congress Party. My condolences to their families”, stated GPCC President Girish Chodankar said while paying tributes to both the departed souls.
“Today due to Covid Pandemic, we were forced to restrict the attendance for this meeting. Franky and Paulo had huge friend circle. In normal times a big hall would have been needed to accomodate their well wishers. My deepest sympathies to both the dedicated Congressmen”, said South Goa District Congress President Joseph Dias.
Floral tributes were offered at the portraits of Franky Pires and Paulo Colaco by all the Congress functionaries. As a mark of respect one minute silence was observed.
The condolence meeting was attended by Zacarias Goes, Vice President of SGDCC, Deepak Khanangate General Secretary of SGDCC, Mrs Ashtrid Pires, Anthony Colaco and Floriano Colaco, Ullarico Rodrigues and others.
