MARGAO: Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat on Saturday charged that it is the most insensitive act of the State government and BJP functionaries to light lamps celebrating “Tika Utsav” when State is mourning the deaths of citizens succumbed due to COVID infection.

While speaking at the installation programme of Quepem Block Youth Congress, the Margao MLA said that the BJP government compelled almost 2,700 plus families in Goa to light lamps and candles in memory of their family members who were forced to die by the insensitive government headed by Pramod Sawant due to its apathy and negligence in handling the COVID pandemic.

GPCC President Girish Chodankar, General Secretary Subhash Fal Dessai, South Goa District Congress President Joe Dias, and others were present.

350 youth from various wards of panchayats and municipalities were enrolled in the Youth Congress on Saturday.

“The Youth Congress team has created a place in the hearts of Goans with their outstanding work of supplying oxygen to the COVID patients and extending other help in this COVID pandemic,” he stated.

He expressed hope that Youth Congress in Quepem will once again ensure the victory of the Congress candidate in Quepem.

Chodankar in his speech appealed to the Youth Congress to provide all necessary help to the families of the COVID victims in receiving the total amount of Rs 6 lakh from the government.

People of Quepem are ready to teach Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar a lesson for betraying them and the Congress Party, he further stated.

One minute silence was observed to pay tributes to all those who lost lives in COVID pandemic.