Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Whilst Goa continues to mourn the needless demise of patients who tragically lost their lives during the dark hours between 1am until 6am due to oxygen shortages at GMC, Goencho Avaaz Party demands that the Goa government should make amends for its failure and dereliction of duty by offering reparation in the form of compensation to grieving families.
Swapnesh Sherlekar, President of Goencho Avaaz Party said: ‘’ As stated by the High Court, the government is guilty of violating Article 21 of the constitution by failing to protect life due to criminal negligence. Whilst money can never be a replacement for the loss of a loved one, the bereaved families deserve some form of justice and accountability from those responsible. The government should be held culpable for the needless and shocking deaths of so many Goans, who might have still been alive, if the powers that be had done its duty by them. This government seems to be lurching from disaster to disaster, taking Goa and innocent Goans along with it. From the entire catalogue of failures that Goans have had the misfortune to endure from this government, the oxygen crisis at GMC is the most unforgivable. Coming a close second, is the Chief Minister’s perplexing refusal to seal the borders and his decision to hold election meetings, which has brought Goa to this point of disaster.’’
Captain Viriato Fernandes, State Convenor of Goencho Avaaz Party said: ‘’Governments are elected ostensibly for the welfare of the people. However, Pramod Sawant’s government has consistently failed the people of Goa. This time, the Chief Minister and the Health Minister have made no effort to hide their contempt and indifference to the welfare of Goans. There has been not a word of regret or an apology to acknowledge the pain and irreparable loss of the bereaved families. It is ironic that this catastrophe took place under the watch of a Chief Minister, who is a doctor. At Goencho Avaaz Party, we urge the government to make amends and at least now do the right thing by apologizing and offering reparation to the families for the suffering and misery that the Chief Minister and Health Minister has heaped upon them.’’
Ninio Correia, General Secretary of Goencho Avaaz Party said: ‘’ For over a week, whilst Goans continued to die due to oxygen drop, the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and the Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, showed hearts of stone as they continued their vitriolic blame game and party in-fighting. Even chastisement by the High Court, has failed to move this callous government to act swiftly and save valuable lives. We strongly condemn the government’s callousness and lack of responsibility towards the people that they are meant to serve.’’
