Team Herald
PANJIM: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that the party welcomes any decision taken by the government to overcome the threat posed by Coronavirus provided they are taken with proper application of mind.
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AAP said that if the government wants to continue with the ‘Janta Curfew’, the government must spell out the dos and don’ts so that people can go about their lives with minimum inconvenience.
AAP also recommended a 24-hour help desk to answer queries or doubts.
AAP Goa unit Convenor Elvis Gomes said that the government machinery, including police personnel, have to be sensitised in dealing with people without a coercive approach as an incident such as one seen on Sunday could be counterproductive and render the preventive measures taken ineffective.
“Let the message be loud and clear so that there is no scope for misinterpretation about the nature of ‘Janta curfew’. Is it a lockdown, bandh, curfew? Whatever terms are used, let the people know what is it that they should not do so that police and people do not land up in avoidable confrontation,” Gomes said.
He said that he was constantly flowing measures that are being in Delhi and requested the government to check on such measures and also continue the lockdown till March 31.
Gomes said that the CM of Delhi with the Lt Governor addressed the people and clearly spelt out the measures laid down that private and govt offices, establishments, industries would remain closed except for essential services like police, law and order, water, electricity, Internet, phone, supermarkets/grocery, PDS shops, ATMs, petrol pumps, and pharmacies, with limited staffing and appropriate safety measures.
Gomes said that the government should intervene to allay fears of the poor, destitute, daily wage earners and contract staff who may need help and ensure free ration services as done in Delhi including providing community kitchen services through NGOs so that people are ensured meals.
He also said that most importantly, the government should arrange for postponement of payment of taxes/EMIs/utility bills until further notice.
Gomes appealed to the CM to ensure that public is addressed by a government spokesman daily with clear and concise instructions to avoid panic or cases of disobedience of instructions which may not be wilful.
