FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Opposition MLAs on Tuesday demanded a white paper from the government on handling of the COVID pandemic with details of availability of oxygen, ventilators, vaccines and beds, and to immediately impose a 15-day lockdown in the State with closure of all borders.
The opposition members, who met in the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat, discussed in detail the current situation and raised various concerns.
They expressed complete displeasure over the attitude and approach of the government in handling the pandemic. The MLAs strongly felt that the government must constitute a task force comprising of experts from civil society and the army to handle and manage the COVID pandemic in the State.
Kamat said that the government must ensure that enough beds are made available to the rising number of COVID patients.
Stating that there is apprehension and fear in the minds of the people about the shortage of life saving medical oxygen in the State, the Opposition members demanded that the government must address this issue on priority and ensure that required oxygen is made available.
The Opposition urged the government to procure COVID-19 vaccines on a war footing and to start the vaccination drive across the State. They recommended that vaccination centres be opened at the panchayat level as it will reduce the rush at the public health centres.
They demanded that the government utilise the Rs 300 crore package announced by the Centre for celebrating 60 years of Goa’s liberation towards handling and management of the pandemic. And also sought that the government immediately announce Rs 100 crore economic revival package for marginalised sector and to notify the “Goenche Daiz Scheme” and give relief to the traditional occupation practitioners of Goa.
They urged the government to take into consideration the decisions taken by other States with regards to SSC, HSSC and other examinations.
The Opposition MLAs appealed to the relatives of patients to maintain calm and show respect to the medical fraternity and other frontline workers who are working under tremendous stress and pressure. They are putting all efforts to give best treatment to the patients and save their lives, they said.
Besides, Kamat, the meeting was attended by Pratapsingh Rane, Luizinho Faleiro, Sudin Dhavalikar, Vijai Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte, Jayesh Salgaonkar, Vinod Palyekar and Prasad Gaonkar.
