PANAJI
Goencho Avaaz Party has said that recently, Goans who have been deprived of their Shigmo and other religious celebrations, had to suffer insult heaped upon injury as TV channels carried footage of hordes of eager party-goers crowding the casinos, without maintaining any social distancing, and others even without the mandatory masks.
Roshan Mathias, Vice President of Goencho Avaaz pointed out that one of the crucial SOPs is that casinos are only permitted to contain 50% of their capacity at any given time. “Whether this is being maintained is the question, given the huge rush at nights on weekends and festival holidays. Hence, it is important that the Collector physically verify that SOPs are being followed by checking the CCTV footage,” he declared.
Capt Viriato Fernandes, State Convenor, Goencho Avaaz flayed the government for setting up Flying Squads to check its own people’s Holi celebrations. “Are these stringent norms only for Goans? Why is the government refusing to maintain the same standards for the casinos, beach and rave parties and tourist revelry as it demands of its people?” he queried.
Swapnesh Sherlekar, President, Goencho Avaaz, said that it was Goa’s great misfortune to have a government that mocked its people by organizing the “Hunar Haat” festival to understand the cultural diversity of different states of the country, even as it put down and suppressed the culture of its people. “The guiding principle of this BJP government seems to be “Goans last. Outsiders First” he said.
