THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
AAP on Thursday demanded that the government expand the definition of frontline warriors to include various elected representatives and staff of local bodies so that they can be vaccinated on a priority irrespective of their age.
Stating that they are at increased risk of infection due to the nature of their work, AAP Goa vice president Adv Surel Tilve in a statement said that all people working in the panchayat offices and also municipal council offices should be declared as frontline warriors. He said this should include all panch members, councillors, secretaries and office staff as well as ground staff. Tilve highlighted in particular the plight of sanitation and garbage workers who handle infected waste without any protective equipment and said they should be vaccinated immediately, as well as given proper equipment and training due to the increased risk they face.
Meanwhile, Capt Venzy Viegas, leader of AAP’s Seafarer’s cell said that the seafarers from Goa have to be vaccinated on a priority basis as the job openings on ships have just started and the recruiters are looking for vaccinated persons.
“Goan seafarers have been at home for a long time now and are desperately looking forward to joining their job, and since the government of Goa cannot provide them employment opportunities the least it can do is made it easy for them to secure their earlier jobs,” said Capt Venzy demanding that all seafarers holding any CDC, SID, LOI or any proof as seafarer should be vaccinated at the earliest and appealed to the government to set up a separate counter for vaccinating them without delay.
‘Give financial relief to common man’
PANAJI: AAP has demanded that the Goa government provide financial relief to those who depend on daily earnings, stating that Covid restrictions as well as voluntary shutdowns of marketplaces, has hit many economically.
State convenor Rahul Mhambre said motorcycle pilots and auto-rickshaw drivers are the worst hit, as people have stayed away from markets and other locations where their services would be normally be availed.
In such times, Mhambre said that the government needs to announce some financial relief measures so people can tide over until the situation improves.
Mhambre said there is no dearth of money with the government if only they have the right intentions, and suggested that a small portion of the Rs 300 crore from the Golden Jubilee celebration may be utilised to give relief to the common man of Goa and highlighted that AAP-Delhi recently announced a relief of Rs 5,000 each to daily-wage earners such as auto-rickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, and construction workers.
