PANJIM: After continuously ignoring calls from the Opposition as well as civil society to call off the Zilla Panchayat polls, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had to finally give in following a video-conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reiterated his advice for social distancing to keep COVID-19 at bay.
Not only ZP elections, the Chief Minister assured Modi to also call off the exams of Classes IX to XII till March 31.
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Speaking to the media after the video conference, Sawant said the PM spoke to the chief ministers of almost 20 States.
“PM in his video conference again advised to make social distancing compulsory. Though till now Goa has no positive case, we have decided to postpone the Zilla Panchayat elections. The fresh dates will be announced only after the situation is in control,” he said.
Asked what happens to the code of conduct, whether it would be lifted, Sawant replied, there would be no code as of now. “The election process has been stopped as of date so the next notification will be only the date of election and counting. There would be no chance for campaigning again,” he said.
The CM said that the elections have been postponed in the interest of the people. “Lives and health of the people is more important than elections,” he stated.
The CM also confirmed that the exams of Classes IX to XII have been postponed till further announcement. “Decision on exams of higher education and technical education will be decided in review meeting on March 29,” he said.
Asked whether any decision has been taken on sealing of borders, he replied there was no need as of now. “The Chief Secretary and Collectors are in talks with both States of Karnataka and Maharashtra. They also have to see how essential commodities would be brought in,” he said.
On reports of panic buying, the Chief Minister said there was no need to panic and buy commodities. He, however, urged the people to avoid large gatherings.
Though the government has not yet shut restaurants, the CM said, people must avoid such places. He also urged people to participate in the Janta Curfew call given by the Prime Minister to break the COVID-19 chain.
