MARGAO: Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat demanded that State Government constitutes a task force of experts from civil society and the army to handle COVID pandemic here.
Kamat also demanded issuance of either cards or permission letters to the frontline workers or voluntary organisations from both District Collectors who collect, refill, or deliver oxygen cylinders.
“Government must understand that it is because of voluntary services of various organizations like Youth Congress, Mahila Congress, and others hundreds of lives were saved in last 15 days. If people had to remain dependant on government facilities, the death toll would have shot up almost 30 to 40 times by now,” said Kamat.
He picked that oxygen cylinders sent to Sindhudurg were at the request of BJP leader Narayan Rane and not to benefit needy patients. “Those who play politics in medical emergencies should not try to point fingers at others,” said Kamat.
Kamat insisted that State comes first for him. “We need to give first priority to our people and then to others and surely not for political advantage”, he stated.
He also complimented patients and relatives who condemned the complete collapse of healthcare facilities, particularly the shortage of oxygen right in front of the Chief Minister.
“The politically motivated BJP Government has failed to arrange oxygen cylinders. The frustrated top functionaries of the BJP are now using police force to harass our Youth Congress workers by stopping their vehicles on their way to patients’ homes or hospitals in response to SOS calls for emergency oxygen needs,” he said.
