PANJIM: The weekend saw rush of tourists and blatant violation of Section 144 CrPC besides safety norms raising obvious question whether authorities have been seriously implementing the guidelines.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s assurance on the floor of the House on Friday about releasing a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has also not seen the light of day.
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“A new SOP will be issued tomorrow (Saturday),” the Chief Minister had told the House on day-3 of the Budget session of the Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday. His assurance came in response to United Opposition alleging lack of protocols to control incidents like beach parties and State-approved exhibitions; and demanded making COVID-19 negative certificate compulsory.
With Goa witnessing sudden spike in COVID-19 cases, the District Administration in North and South Goa banned public gathering for Holi, Shab-e-Bara’at and other festivals by imposing Section 144 CrPC.
However, the rule was blatantly violated with law authorities failing to take action. While night parties were held, several tourists and locals thronged the beaches wherein almost every individual was without masks and not observing social distancing, during the long weekend.
So also, crowd outside casinos also caught the attention of people who took to social media seeking to know action from the local authorities, but in vain. The Hunnar Haat, a government-promoted event is ironically also underway despite restrictions in place. Director General of Police Mukesh Kumar Meena had a week ago said he had directed the department to ensure COVID-19 specific SOPs is followed, but the instances indicate the department is not following its own directions.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa Convenor Rahul Mhambre has questioned the government why there are no restriction at all on public gatherings at night clubs, casinos, trade fairs at all while welcoming the restricting on gatherings for religious programmes like Holi, Eid and Easter.
He also mocked at the imposition of Section 144 as it is being treated as a joke.
Rahul also demanded that all people visiting Goa from any place in the world should be asked to produce a certificate stating that they are negative for COVID as is done by some other places.
Mahesh Mahambre of the Progressive Front of Goa has said that the government cancelled Shigmo celebrations at the last moment in its attempt to curb the spreading of the pandemic, but there seem no stringent measures taken against the casinos for flaunting SOPs.
“Guests are seen without masks and there has been no control over the overcrowding at the casinos. Social distancing seems a joke here. Its high time that this insensitive Chief Minister and his government wakes up and takes some stringent action or else we would have to face the wrath of this second wave,” he said.
Herald tried contacting North Goa Collector Ajit Roy for a comment but he was unavailable.
Goa Forward party (GFP) Vice President Durgadas Kamat has taken a dig at the government for allowing parties along the beach belt. In his tweet, he said, “Traditional #Shigmo is cancelled by @DrPramodPSawant citing rise in #COVID cases, but #Parties in #CoastalBelt are allowed violating all norms. Few @BJP4Goa leaders calling up #GovtOfficials to allow the #Parties, especially in the #CoastalBelt.”
