PANJIM: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that, with the BJP Govt failing to make adequate arrangements for beds, oxygen, home isolation and other critical functions of COVID management, timely vaccination remains the only hope for Goans.
State Convenor Rahul Mhambre expressed frustration that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has managed to complicate even this simple task, which could have been completed within a matter of weeks had the Govt focussed on people instead of politics.
Mhambre said the BJP government was seen squirming in the High Court hearing today, trying to cover up its continuous failures in procuring and administering vaccines.
“The High Court bench, referring to the govt’s own statements and affidavits, asked a number of detailed questions, but the govt was not able to provide believable answers. Govt was seen contradicting itself a number of times, whether on the number of vaccine stocks available, or the reasons for the slow pace of vaccination”, Mhambre observed.
Recalling that Chie Minister had made a grand announcement in April that he would procure 15 lakh doses for Goa out of which 5 lakh doses would be directly from the manufacturer, Mhambre said that more than a month later the reality on the ground is very different.
“For 18-44 age group, Goan youth who are eager to get vaccinated are being made to compete on the CoWin portal over extremely limited spots every week. For 45+ age group, the govt claimed in the High Court today that it has about 2.5 lakh doses available but no one is coming to take the vaccine, yet even confirmed appointments for second dose for 45+ have been cancelled”, Mhambre revealed.
