Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after State government announced that the travellers coming to Goa will have to pay Rs 2,000 compulsory fee for COVID testing, the Opposition demanded immediate withdrawal of the same.
Addressing a joint press conference on Monday, Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat, Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and MGP MLA Ramkrishna Dhavalikar demanded that the Goans, including seafarers, coming into the State should be provided free testing and quarantine facility.
The State Executive Committee (SEC) headed by Chief Secretary Parimal Rai on Sunday directed the inter-State Movement Cell of Goa to convey to the Railways and other authorities that any traveller coming to Goa will have to go through compulsory testing, a testing fee of Rs 2,000 per person will be charged, except from those who are covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana or under any other exempted category like government staff on duty etc, irrespective of mode of travel.
“It is very shameful that our people are charged for testing and quarantine facility. Government had earlier announced that the Goans will not be charged. But all of sudden, they have started charging Rs 2,000 for testing. This needs to be withdrawn immediately,” Kamat demanded.
He pointed out that the trains, that came from Maharashtra and Delhi, saw not only Goans but even non-Goans including foreigners coming to Goa for fun and enjoyment. “Even a honeymoon couple came to Goa. These non-Goans should be charged,” the former CM demanded.
Kamat pointed out to the poor facilities provided to the travellers, including Goans, who are kept at Fatorda football stadium, pending their COVID test result.
“These people need to be treated on humanitarian grounds,” he added.
The Congress slammed the government for failing to put in efforts to bring in Goans, including seafarers, stranded in various parts of the world.
“While all other States have managed to get their people, Goa has failed completely,” Reginaldo said.
MGP MLA Ramkrishna Dhavalikar also demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision to charge the Goans.
“Goans should be provided free testing and quarantine facility. They are our own people and we cannot further stress them, who are already under fear of virus,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Opposition questioned whether government has the required facilities to quarantine the passengers, coming to Goa. They have also urged Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to release White Paper on State’s financial position and the austerity measures adopted to overcome the financial crisis.
