TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: A major argument erupted over the availability or non-availability of veterinary medicines with Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal and Congress Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco tearing into the Minister for Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Laxmikant Parsekar forcing the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to intervene and shield his cabinet colleague. The discussion turned into a slanging match after the concerned minister refused to accept the member’s assertions and refused to assign or accept blame for shortcomings, if any.
According to the government, even though medicines are available in the Department there is indeed a shortage of medicines in Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department since there is a continuous addition of new animals, due to which the requirement has been progressively increasing.
Parsekar said that they had made arrangements to help the farmers as far as meeting emergent requirement through emergency purchases, extremely essential and life saving drugs, are concerned through quotations.
Parsekar responding to the pointed criticism said that medicines are available in all dispensaries and if it was not available there, they should be picked up from Panjim.
The minister told the House that this time Rs 1.5 crore worth medicines were purchased and there was still some stocks left. “A new tender of Rs 3 crore will be floated within the next 2 days. These medicines will be available within a month,” he assured.
The discussion then degenerated with a fiery Sawal alleging that around 300 cows had died due to lack of medicines, and asked: “Have you checked?”
To this, Parsekar who was forced on the defensive sought to divert from the issue, asking Sawal not to “shout,” leading to allegations that the minister was hedging and saying “You can’t understand any other language.”
The minister refused to answer the question telling the Bicholim MLA to “ask properly; then you will get the answer.”
At this, the chief minister came to the rescue telling the House that the “Government knows that it is supposed to look after this.” He also added that if “your animal is sick, and if you have any liking for it, you would run (for help).
But Sawal refused to be sidetracked asking again, “Are you going to make arrangements? You have to make arrangements.” He wanted arrangements to make medicines available within 24 hours. The minister backed by the Chief Minister refused saying this is impossible.
Then the debate deteriorated even further with the Minister telling the House: “If any animal is sick at night then you should go to Naresh Sawal.”
The chief minister too jumped in alleging, there is ‘masti’ in his tone. He should not be answered.”
After a heated couple of minutes, Sawal told the House that medicines should be given to him and he would take care of the farmer needs whatever the time.
At this Reginaldo jumped in to add that in the hospital in his area there were no antibiotics. “There are no other medicines.” He explained, “Do you know why cows are dying? It is because they have to be quarantined, taken care off.”
The chief minister interjected again asking “Does the minister have to go to the hospital and check? The officers are there to check.”
Then there was major screaming and shouting between Reginaldo and CM with CM saying, “Sit down.”
“You learn some manners. They should learn some manners. Why are you here? They should learn proper language.”
After peace was restored Subhash Phal Dessai wanted to know whether the farmers would get the cost of medicines if purchased them from outside reimbursed. To this the minister replied that as of now they would not be reimbursed.
