Panjim: Expressing extreme disappointment at the delay in calling an all-party meeting to discuss the situation arising out of COVID-19 pandemic in the State, the united opposition said that they want to keep the “political battles” aside and collaborate willingly in the government’s fight against corona for the sake of Goa and Goans.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during an all-party meeting held on Monday, the opposition including Congress, Goa Forward Party, MGP and Independent, charged that government’s fight against COVID so far lacks “efficiency”, “transparency” and “accountability” to overcome the crisis.
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In their series of suggestion, the opposition has extended it support to impose the lockdown in any part of Goa, wherever necessary, provided that the lockdown will exempt medical and essential services, supply of commodities and passage for returning Goans.
With rising number of cases, the opposition demanded for immediate demarcation of containment and buffer zones around the epicenter; and for systematic and wider testing all over Goa so that the exact spread of the disease is known.
“The all-party meeting would have been more apt and useful if it was called earlier and suggestions taken from elected representatives’ of the people, other than those from the riling dispensation,” the opposition said.
“However, in the interest of the people of Goa, we are willing to let bygones be bygones and fully co-operate with the government to tackle the pandemic before it assumes more dangerous proportions,” they added.
The opposition further added that it is evident that the government is facing a financial crisis because of the pandemic, which had added to the already precarious financial State of the government.
“Hence, we suggest that stringent austerity measures should be immediately imposed, starting with the CMO’s office and the cabinet, and whether Goa actually needs such a large cabinet and two Deputy CMs,” they said.
Some of the other demands put forth by the opposition included having a substantial stimulus package for those who have been economically affected; Goa-specific SOP; white paper on the action plan; systematic repatriation plan; no paid quarantine for returning Goans and providing public notices to the public before declaring COVID-care Centres.
