Govt’s ‘negative’ approach in handling COVID is worrisome to Goans: MLA

PONDA: Former PWD minister and Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar on Thursday said that the State government’s “negative” approach in handling COVID-19 pandemic situation is worrisome to the people. 

He claimed that it has led to wide spread of COVID cases in the State. 

“Tourists/visitors entering the State should be directed to follow COVID guidelines strictly. However, fearing loss of revenue from tourism, the State government failed to implement COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) strictly,” he said. 

“COVID cases are spreading at a rapid rate.  Before the situation turns worst, the government should strictly implement SOPs for the tourists and also people’s movement should be restricted after 8 pm, just on the lines of Gujarat,” he added. 

Dhavalikar said, “In Gujarat there is restriction of people’s movement after 7 pm and therefore cases are low. While in the neighbouring Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka the cases are raising which are worrisome to the Goans.”

He said, “While many Goans are following SOPs, tourists are allowed to violate norms. Tourists should be asked to bring negative certificate before entering the State of Goa.”

Dhavalikar also criticised the government for not implementing the budgetary provision partially. 

He said, “The government failed to show in Budget how rupee will come and how it will go out in form of expenditure.” 

He also demanded that the government should immediately repair the Goa Bhavan in Mumbai which is closed for last 7 years. 

“Goans visiting Mumbai for various purposes including medical treatment face hardship as Goa Bhavan guest house is not in operation,” he said.

Dhavalikar said, “The government should give equal justice to the BCA as well students doing post graduation in Ponda. In Ponda, the students are charged fees for above courses while at Dharbandora College, the BCA course is free for students. Similarly, at many places post graduation course is free.”

“The Chief Minister gave several promises on floor of Assembly during various sessions in the year 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 but yet to fulfil lot of his promises.”

He said, “The government failed to deliver on its assurances in the House.”

“The Chief Minister gave promises to protect Mhadei water and also every year about restart of mining but failed to deliver. The government recently promised to hot-mix the roads in four months time. But the government circular itself says during the period May 15 to November 19, such work will not take place.”

Dhavalikar cited that in 2019-20 Chief Minister had said that government would absorb the employees with permanent status, those who had completed five years with temporary status. However, in 2021 his stand is changed on issue. 

He demanded that the government should pay salaries according to Sixth Commission to the employees, who are with temporary status and completed five years and even the government circular on issue states that.

He also reminded of the promises made such as water supply to every house and open defecation. When we go to Dabolim airport many people are seen defecating by the roadside early in the morning.

He demanded the implementation of New Motor Vehicle Act. 

“The government cancelled Shigmo and should pay compensation to Shigmo and floats artists and artistes after getting the report from the Mamlatdar and Panchayat sarpanch. The artists and artistes spent more than Rs 3 lakh on floats and Romtamel,” he added.

Further, he said that the Tamnar Power Project and railway double tracking is for transportation of coal. 

The South Goa people residing near railway track will become homeless if 50 metres land acquired on both the sides from centre line of railway track.  

He said, “The land acquisition rule for railways and highways is same i.e 50 metres land acquisition on both the sides in case of railway from centre line of railway track. If this way track is widened on Margao to Vasco then there will be no house on this route due to land acquisition. The people will not only become homeless but also deprived of their property.  

He said that the railway double tracking is done for coal transportation and it could be learnt from the Tamnar Project.

“Goa has sufficient power supply and this additional supply from Tamnar is for coal transportation. The railways passing through difficult terrain at slow speed will find it easy to operate at high speed through power supply, which it will get its current from the Tamnar project.” 

He said the Tamnar Project is petitioned in Supreme Court wherein it is stated that 1.15 lakh trees would be required to cut to make way for the project.