Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: As Goa hit an unprecedented record of over 900 fresh COVID-19 positive cases in one day yesterday, Goencho Avaaz Party hit out at the government and requested them to stop playing with the lives of Goans.
In a succinct message directed at the government Swapnesh Sherlekar, President of Goencho Avaaz Party said: ‘’ Our message to the government is very clear – close the borders, shut down casinos and rave parties and postpone board exam during the second wave. Do it now! The longer the government takes to do this, the more misery they are going to heap on the Goan populace. The government is lacking a well thought-out strategy that is able to straddle both saving lives and economic well-being together.’’
‘’At a time, when so many of our Goan brothers and sisters are suffering, it is of utmost priority for the government to seal the borders temporarily in a bid to contain the spread. Our neighbouring states are witnessing rising numbers and therefore now is not the time to be encouraging inter-state travel. However, our government is demonstrating incredible callousness by refusing to shut the borders and is wilfully endangering the lives of its own people in the guise of economic well-being.’’
‘’It is somewhat ironic that the government can conveniently cite COVID-19 as an excuse to suit their narrative when it appeals to them, but refuse to cancel or indefinitely postpone board exams to keep our children safe. These are basic protocols that will really help alleviate the suffering of Goans, but this government repeatedly proves that they don’t care for the wellbeing of its people. It is even more galling that the government is appeasing the casino mafia by refusing to close down casinos and restrict tourism whilst we are in the midst of the second wave. Time and time again, this government prioritizes economics over saving lives’’ concluded Sherlekar.
Ninio Correia, General Secretary of Goencho Avaaz Party said ‘’Last year, tourism and related industries took a massive hit, with lacs of people losing their jobs and businesses. The government has had one year to prepare for the second wave. A fund should have been put in place to provide relief to casualties of the tourism industry this year – but this uncaring and directionless government refuses to come to the aid of its people during a global pandemic. Yet, very conveniently the government seems to have all the resources for a one year Liberation Day celebration. Shouldn’t that money be used to help Goans who are struggling financially as a result of this second wave? This is a government of optics and meaningless PR gestures that seems to have bitten off more than they can chew.’’
‘’This is a clear message that the government is sending out to its people that it is each one for themselves. This incompetent and ill-equipped government has thrown in the towel and has admitted defeat. Utt Goenkara utt – our government has failed us. Since the government doesn’t care to save Goan lives, we urge each and every one of our fellow Goans to take this virus seriously and follow strict protocol to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe. ‘’
Roshan Mathias, Vice President of Goencho Avaaz Party said: ‘’Particularly since we had experience of dealing with the pandemic last year, COVID-19 isn’t that big an issue to handle as it only requires a plan and clear thinking. Other countries have handled the virus better. But due to our government’s poor management of this pandemic, COVID-19 has now become a ticking bomb in our midst. So many lives could have been saved if only the government placed the people at the core of its policies and planning.’’
