PONDA: The Veling-Priol-Cuncoliem panchayat on Thursday submitted an ‘action plan’ to South Goa Collector Ajit Roy to fight COVID-19.
Appreciating the initiatives of Veling-Priol-Cuncoliem panchayat, Roy said, “This act will send right message to other local bodies of Goa. I expect other panchayats to learn from this, so that we can restart our normal life.” Veling-Priol-Cuncoliem sarpanch Pandurang Gawade and panch Damodar Naik presented the copy of the ‘action plan’ to Roy.
It may be recalled that the panchayat to lessen the burden on government had decided to provide makeshift facilities in panchayat hall for the mild COVID patients till they are admitted in the government-designated COVID Care Centres.
The action plan also mentions making available at least one pulse oximeter in each ward and PPE kits.
Meanwhile, Priol MLA and Minister Govind Gaude opposed the panchayat proposal to use the panchayat hall as COVID Care Centre.
He said, “The centre can’t be established in the market area where the panchayat hall is located. Many locals conduct business in the market area and their livelihood depends on it. Some are speaking of shutting their business, which should not be done as many people have lost their livelihood due to COVID.”
He said, “COVID Care Centre should be set up at an isolated place and panchayat hall is not an isolated place. Some panchas are after publicity.”
