VASCO: Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida and former minister Jose Philipe D’Souza on Saturday took pot-shots at each other after seafarers were quarantined in the hotels in Vasco.
D’Souza blames the MLA for not taking locals into confidence on the issue, while on the other hand the Almeida said it was easy to give suggestions rather than actually working on the issue and questioned the ex-minister on his contribution to COVID-19 relief fund.
Almeida said, “Government has done all possible things for people’s safety. On Friday I instructed the PI to maintain strict vigil on these hotels where the seafarers are quarantined. They have been tested in Mumbai, quarantined for 14 days and now they were tested in Goa and again have been quarantined in hotels. They will be restricted to their rooms.”
On the NCP Goa chief’s statement that the local MLA should have taken people into confidence, Almeida said “If D’Souza had some issue then he should have taken it up with the Deputy Collector or with the government.”
D’Souza is availing government pension, has he contributed anything to COVID-19 funds? He just wants to gain publicity,” Almeida added.
D’Souza said he appreciated the efforts of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in bringing the seafarers back. He thanked NCP leader Praful Patel and NCP chief Sharad Pawar for pursuing the issue at the national level. D’Souza said, “These seafarers are Goans and we should support them in this testing time. We should be concerned about their well being and safety.”
He said, “I feel government should have identified the hotels to quarantine seafarers well in advance to keep the people well informed.”
“On accommodating the seafarers in some hotels, it was the duty of the local MLA to take local people into confidence. The local MLA should have taken initiative to create awareness among people, and it is his duty. I have done enough on my side for the people affected during lockdown,” D’Souza added.
