MARGAO: Goa Forward Party (GFP) president Vijai Sardesai on Wednesday said offline exams cannot be held in Goa in the midst of a new COVID-19 scare after a mutated strain was found in the UK.
Sardesai said, “Following the ZP polls we were expecting an increase in infections amongst voters, and through Christmas festivities. The new strain could already be present in Goa, as passengers from the UK have already landed in Goa, with CM Pramod Sawant not taking any new precautionary measures to curb the spread.”
In a tweet earlier, Sardesai mentioned that “@DrPramodPSawant is Goa’s most careless administrator. The new #COVID19 strain poses risks for all #Goemkars yet the @goacm is more concerned about the commercial impact on #tourism than our #health. He must step-up measures to contain the spread through testing & contact tracing.”
The GFP chief also urged all to please maintain social distancing and to get tested immediately if people have symptoms which can protect vulnerable citizens. Sardesai tweeted “as #TeamGoa we are all responsible to do our best to keep ourselves, our families & our people safe to #SaveGoaNow from this pandemic.”
Vijai pressed hard saying that Goa University must not hold offline exams scheduled for January 4, 2021, and must either be held online or postponed until cases in Goa decrease – with consent from both students and their parents. Sardesai said the Union HRD minister had postponed the CBSE exams until February 2021 and dates are being assessed accordingly.
Sardesai asked, “Why can’t the government and the Goa University Registrar propose alternatives? They are unnecessarily risking the health and lives off students, examiners and their families.”
The Goa Forward president said, “This is a cruel and insensitive decision from the government. Sawant only cares about money, and doesn’t even bother about the lives of people.”
Sardesai said, “Goans will be entering a grim and risky 2021. While most of the world is entering 2021 in hope of being vaccinated, Sawant is ushering Goans into despair.”
Sardesai has repeatedly called for Goans to unite under his signature movement called “Save Goa Now.” Earlier, the GFP chief extended his hand to political opponents of the BJP calling for a united Team Goa to defeat the BJP in the upcoming elections.
