Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: ‘’Callous, cavalier and clueless are words that best describe the Goa government given how their mis-management and abysmal handling of the COVID-19 crisis and innumerable protests are steering Goa from the frying pan to the fire. The state government continues to fail Goa and Goans. Today, in yet another shocking move, the BJP government has violated and trampled on the rights of the student fraternity’’ said Swapnesh Sherlekar, President of Goencho Avaaz Party.
‘’Helpless students who went to express their grave and valid concerns to the Chief Minister, were detained and taken on a joy ride to Pernem police station. This is a feeling of déjà vu from Liberation Day last year, when students were also detained illegally and driven to Ponda police station after a lengthy tour of Goa. Clearly this is a one-trick pony government who adopts a cut and paste modus operandi to deal with situations that are beyond their capabilities. What does one say about a Chief Minister who doesn’t show the courage to meet with students but instead calls upon his police force to arrest the youngsters? Where are the leadership skills and the basic human decency to give the students a hearing that might lead to understanding of their fears and apprehensions? Where was the social distancing and the necessary SoPs by the police when the students were being piled into buses? This is yet another demonstration of poor and ineffective governance that we have been continuously subjected to during Dr. Pramod Sawant’s tenure. On behalf of Goencho Avaaz Party, I reiterate yet again to this unresponsive government – cancel or postpone the board exams, shut down casinos and night parties and come out with SoPs that protect the lives of vulnerable Goans in these very difficult days. ‘’ concluded Sherlekar.
Captain Viriato Fernandes, State Convenor of Goencho Avaaz Party said that the Health Minister Vishwajit Rane and the Chief Minister should get their act together. They cannot speak in different voices at the cost of lives and the health of Goans. When Goa’s healthcare system is crumbling as revealed by the Health Minister, then how can the Chief Minister risk the lives of students when clearly the health infrastructure cannot cope with anymore additional patients? The government’s mis-handling of the COVID-19 crisis thus far has resulted in the needless deaths of so many innocent Goans. Unable to learn from their mistakes, they are now risking the lives of students. Dr. Sawant and his equally incompetent government should realise that for each and every mistake they make, innocent Goans are paying for it with their health and lives.’’
’A couple of days ago the Chief Minister was campaigning in Margao in the midst of the second wave of the pandemic. Isn’t it convenient how the government imposed Section 144 in North Goa but not in the South? Does COVID-19 not exist in South Goa or does campaigning take precedence over saving lives? The priorities of this government are clear for all to see – they care more about votes than about lives,’’ concluded Captain Fernandes.
Roshan Mathias, Vice-President of Goencho Avaaz Party said: ‘Due to Dr. Sawant’s inability to govern the state properly, at any given point in time there are different sections of society who are compelled to come out on the streets in the midst of a global pandemic to fight for their rights. This government is clearly following the modus operandi of the centre by refusing to engage with aggrieved citizens and instead imposing their ill-thought out decisions and policies on hapless Goans who have already suffered enough, with a government that they did not vote into power.’’