Team Herald
PANJIM: Amidst an extensive debate pan-Goa regarding bringing back the Goan seafarers stranded in different countries, a petition has been filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa questioning the inadequate quarantine facilities in relation to the 8,000-odd stranded seafarers.
Petitioner Mukesh Patel has pleaded with the court that the government provide proper infrastructure for testing and containing COVID-19 before the entry of stranded seafarers into the State.
“The government provide proper infrastructure for testing and containing corona virus before it could let in the Goan seafarer(s) stranded across the globe. There are 8,000 of them, but the facilities in Goa for quarantine and treatment would cater to about only 300 patients,” the letter states.
The letter, which was heard on Wednesday, has been converted into a Public Interest Litigation (Writ Petition). Advocate General Devidas Pangam submitted to the bench comprising Justice Dama Seshadri Naidu that allowing people from abroad is a policy decision involving the Centre. He further urged time from the court to get instructions on the State government’s view on the issue.
The petitioner also agreed to bring on record the Central government as a party respondent. The court has adjourned the matter for hearing on April 15.
