Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai also announced that he would admit his child to the school, where the HIV positive students are admitted.
Speaking on the issue pertaining to the 13 students affected with HIV positive from the Nitya Seva Niketan Orphanage, Parrikar said that these students were studying along with 10 more kids who have not been tested positive for last two years. “This itself proves that the disease is not transmissible,” he said.
Chief Minister said that if HIV was spread by coming into physical contact then every human being would have been tested positive.
“It does not spread like (common) cold,” he added.
Meanwhile, Speaker Rajendra Arlekar announced the setting up of legislative forum to look into the issues arising out of lack of awareness and campaigning on HIV.
“I was thinking on the matter. After the Assembly session we will form a legislative forum to look into such serious issues, which need attention,” Arlekar said during the calling attention motion moved by Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai, who pointed out the fear and anxiety in the minds of students from the Nitya Seva Niketan from Rivona, whose admission in the Fatima High School is strongly objected to and protested by parents.
The MLA sought to know what steps government intends to take to educate the people and bring awareness on HIV positive cases.
“These are students who have the right to enjoy to have education in the mainstream with normal students and no discrimination be allowed and they should not be stigmatized,” Phaldessai said.
