MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: With just a week left for the nationwide 21-day long lockdown period to end, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant will meet his Cabinet on Wednesday to discuss and recommend suggestions on a joint strategy, either for an exit from the lockdown or further extension, as directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister, during a video conference last week, had asked State Chief Ministers to send suggestions on a joint strategy for a ‘staggered’ exit from the lockdown. He had also urged the CMs to focus on COVID-19 containment measures – testing, tracing, isolation and quarantine – in a coordinated manner to ensure minimum loss of life.
Addressing media persons on Tuesday, Sawant said a cabinet meeting has been called on Wednesday at 11.30am to seek the views of all the ministers on the lockdown and to map plans for after April 14. “The cabinet will have detailed discussion on various views. The suggestions would be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office. The discussion will include the action plan after April 14,” he said.
He added that the following points will be discussed, “If the Centre grants a relaxation after April 14, how should State go ahead, what are the measures that need to be adopted to ensure that the situation remains under control.”
Stating that the Central government is yet to take any decision on extending the lockdown period, Sawant said the “State will wait for Central guidelines before taking any decision.”
The Chief Minister said that Goa is safe for now as far as community transmission of COVID-19 is concerned. The nationwide lockdown came into force from March 25 in view of coronavirus pandemic.
Sawant on Tuesday also chaired the State Disaster Committee meeting and reviewed the measures adopted by various authorities during the last few weeks.
Stating that there are no major complaints so far, Sawant warned to take action against fish wholesalers or retailers who sell fish at higher prices.
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CM rules out financial relief
to businesses
Admitting that the State is reeling under an economic crisis, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of providing financial relief to any sector hit by the lockdown and COVID-19 outbreak.
“I am fully aware about the financial loss various sectors are facing. Right from big business to the auto rickshaw operator, all are under loss. I am getting various representations from people seeking help. At this point, when the State itself is under an economic crisis, we are not in position to provide any support,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that an Economic Revival Committee will be set up in the next two days, to recommend to the government how to revive the State economy post the lockdown.
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‘MEA permission required for seafarers return’
Referring to the seafarers’ issue, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said it is not a State but a National issue, as seafarers from various other parts of the country like Maharashtra and Gujarat are also stuck on cruise ships in foreign countries. “I have spoken to the PM twice on the issue. We will be able to get them back only when the Union Ministry for External Affairs grants us permission,” he said, adding that the government is making all required arrangements to quarantine 7,000 seafarers once their return to Goa. The government has appointed NRI Affairs joint secretary Anthony D’Souza as the nodal officer to deal with the seafarers’ issue. Secretary Sanjay Kumar will coordinate with the Central Ministry on the matter.
