By holding such felicitation functions, the HM and the CM seems to diverting the attention from the promise what they had made to the health workers.
The Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, on April 7, 2020, announced that that the health workers will get 20 % hike as COVID19 allowance.
But sadly, 14 months after the announcement, it has remained just another statement by the CM, as no such hike has been given to the health workers.
CM had said that the Goa government has hiked salaries of staff working at COVID-19 facilities by 20% along with providing them a ₹50 lakh insurance cover.
Suraj Nandrekar,
Editor, Goemkarponn
Thousands of Goa government employees have been infected with COVID19 virus, including the health and sanitary workers till date working as the State’s COVID19 warriors. They are the main reasons for decrease in COVID19 cases in the State and instead of rewarding them with what is due, the State has found a unique way of thanking them by shawl and bouquet.
The Health Minister has been on a felicitation spree across the State even as the State’s positivity rate of COVID19 is amongst the highest in teh country with 6.89 p,.c.
The Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, while asking the citizens to maintain SOPs, seems to have forgotten that when he is organising such functions hundreds and thousands of people gather. In one such function around 4000 health workers were felicitated at GMC.
By holding such felicitation functions, the HM and the CM seems to diverting the attention from the actual promise what they had made to the health workers.
The Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, on April 7, 2020, announced that that the health workers will get 20 % hike as COVID19 allowance.
But sadly, 14 months after the announcement, it has remained just another statement by the CM, as no such hike has been given to the health workers.
CM had said that the Goa government has hiked salaries of staff working at COVID-19 facilities by 20% along with providing them a ₹50 lakh insurance cover.
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant had said that this was being done as a way of thanking and appreciating the work being undertaken by the frontline staff in the State.
“The insurance and 20% salary increase on their basic pay will continue till the COVID-19 fight is on. This will cover doctors, nurses and even sweepers, security and cleaning staff,” he said.
Moreover, the Chief Minister had said that the government will make this available to all contractual staff sourced through private vendors, who would be made to comply with the decision.
And now by just giving them flowers, shawls and certificates they feel cheated.
What this actually means is that the health workers after putting their lives at risk for over a year only get – “Babaji ka Thullu” (‘Getting something less than expected).
Frankly, it won’t be wrong to suggest, the government has cheated the health workers or COVID19 warriors.
As per ICMR, two doctors have lost their lives while serving as front line warriors but sadly, there is no compensation paid even to their families so far.
According to insiders, the government is spending lakhs on the orgnaisation of such felicitation functions. If that is so one wonders what stops them from paying the dues of the health workers or COVID19 warriors.