People have made this demand, and so too have politicians. The newest voice on this is that of a minister, Mauvin Godinho, who sought that Rs 100 crore of the Rs 300 crore grant be utilised to compensate families of victims.
The demands to divert the funds to pandemic management and compensation for families of victims make sense. The State had sought Rs 100 crore for a year-long celebration, but was pleasantly surprised to get Rs 300 crore instead. At that time the Chief Minister had stated that the amount would be spent through the course of the year on human and infrastructure development, that part of the grant will go towards renovating historical monuments that can be identified with the Goa freedom struggle and honouring freedom fighters, and that the government was planning to use a portion of the fund to aid those sections that were most badly hit by the COVID-19. This was in February, when Goa, recovering from the first wave of the pandemic and life was already almost back to normal. Nothing more was heard from the government on the use of the grant, and very soon the second wave hit, and has been more devastating than the first.
It is reassuring that even then the government was not planning on blowing up the entire grant amount on frivolous entertainment across the country to showcase Goa, but was considering more meaningful uses to the Rs 300 crore that is a substantial sum. The second wave of the pandemic has been more destructive and the need for support to the victim’s families is important.
The past year during which the virus has relentlessly kept spreading has revealed just how ill-equipped Goa is to handle a medical emergency. The State went from one revelation to another. In the first few weeks of the pandemic, all tests were being sent to Pune delaying the reports. The testing facilities were set up weeks later. Then it was the lack of hospital beds and care centres as cases rose faster than the government could set up facilities. Later it was the lack of equipment and even oxygen that has allegedly led to the deaths of a substantial number of COVID patients. After the pandemic broke out, it is plainly clear that Goa requires to augment its healthcare infrastructure and services.
Over 2000 people have died due to COVID, over 1.5 lakh have already contracted it. The deaths are still high and cases are showing no sign of decreasing significantly. This, therefore, is definitely not the year to be celebrating with music and dance, nor is it the year to be spending money on entertainment. The 60th Liberation Year celebration will be more meaningful if those who have been most affected by the pandemic can be allowed to restart their lives with government support. If the Rs 300 crore Liberation Year grant from the Centre will help do this, then it must be utilised for the purpose.
The government has to take a decision on the compensation right away – whether it is to be given and from where the money will come. This decision cannot be delayed longer. People have a right to compensation, especially if the deaths have come due to negligence or non-availability of facilities on the part of the government, such as lack of oxygen. Simultaneously, the government is planning to support those orphaned by the pandemic. A laudable effort, so why delay the announcement?
