PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday came down heavily on politicians including MLAs, sarpanchs and panchayats who announced self-imposed lockdowns in their areas claiming that it is just a publicity stunt to take political advantage of the situation.
Interacting with the panchayat members from the State, Sawant said such publicity stunts in the name of lockdowns are just ‘name-sake’ and not the solution to tackle Covid.
Appealing to them to strictly implement the curfew guidelines in their areas and encourage more people above 40 years to take both the vaccine doses on time, he said, "our target is to save the lives of people”.
“Many people tried to take political advantage. Some people published posters and announced lockdown", he said.
"Some people have announced the constituency lockdown. I don't know how the constituency lockdown will be done?", he said claiming that such lockdown announcements were publicity stunts.
Lamenting that panchayats and municipalities had announced lockdowns but kept fish and vegetable markets open, he said this was a major worry as crowd at such places contributed to the virus spread.
He urged panchayat members to see that all markets and crowded places are closed. “Panchayats have to see that all crowded places are closed or else use police force", he said.
Meanwhile, chiding Bastora panchayat for opposing the cremation of a Covid-positive person from the village, he said this is very sad and not a proper sign.
He said he had personally attended the cremation of ex-Minister Suresh Amonkar who had tested positive.
He appealed to panchayats not to oppose the cremation of Covid positive persons but rather facilitate such cremations.
CM said that in addition to the present 37 PHCs as vaccination centres, additional 37 centres will be opened from Tuesday.
Appealing to public representatives to promote the vaccination drive rather than demanding lockdown, he said “waiting with cylinders for publicity stunt is not a solution”.
He said when testing is done medicines will be given from that day itself and the patient has to start medication irrespective of whether the report comes positive or negative.
