PANJIM: The Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has been issued a show cause notice over blatant violation of COVID-19 norms during the inauguration of a bridge at Sanquelim.
Incidentally, the inauguration was done at the hands of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant who too has come under severe criticism for flouting all the safety norms at the time when the State is reeling under COVID-19 crisis.
North Goa Collector Ajit Roy late Wednesday night issued a show cause to the GSIDC managing director seeking a reply within 48 hours. The two-page notice mentions that inauguration of the Shahid 2nd Lt Virjayendra Zoiba Rane Sardesai Bridge over Valvanti River at Sanquelim had presence of a large crowd despite Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in force.
What’s interesting to note is that the government function had no permission from the Bicholim Sub Divisional Magistrate. The notice, without mentioning CM’s physical presence at the event, states that GSIDC officials also violated the COVID-19 safety norms.
“This amounts to willful disobedience of the order (Section 144 CrPC) and is likely to pose grave risk to public health and safety. You are hereby ordered to show cause within 48 hours from the receipt of this notice as to why legal proceeding under section 188 of Indian Penal Code should not be initiated against you for knowingly disobeying a duly promulgated section 144 CrPC by the undersigned, failing which will cause to initiate appropriate legal proceedings under law,” reads the notice signed by Roy.
Several people had thronged the venue where CM was the chief guest on Wednesday morning. The Opposition demanded action against the CM for the violation and also lodged complaints with the concerned authorities in this regard.
