Adv. Aires Rodrigues has demanded that Panaji MLA Babush Monserrate should gracefully resign on his failure to ensure the setting up of the promised Health Center at the Old Ribandar Hospital.
Pointing out that it was a clear betrayed of the people by the MLA in instead allowing a needless Ayush Center there, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that when their 10 member delegation met Babush Monserrate on 9th October last year the Panaji MLA had solemnly assured that he would make sure that the Health Center is speedily set up “by hook or crook” at the Old Ribandar Hospital and that former Panaji Mayor Yatin Parekh was a witness to that meeting and to all that was falsely promised.
Adv. Rodrigues has further stated that Babush Monserrate had assured that it would initially be a 30 bedded Health Center which would eventually be expanded into a full fledged hospital while stating that even the offices of the Crime Branch and the Lokayukta would be moved out from there.
Stating that the Panaji MLA has failed on all promises made to the people, Adv. Rodrigues expressed dismay that the people have been taken for a ride on even this very crucial issue of a much needed Health Center which would have benefited not only a densely populated Ribandar but also the neighbouring Chimbel, Merces, Old Goa and the residents in the Island of Divar.
Adv. Rodrigues has also pointed out that on 15th October Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had assured the delegation on setting up the Health Centre and that on the same day Health Minister Vishwajit Rane along with Panaji MLA visited the Old Ribandar Hospital and publicly announced that a 30 bedded Health center would commence jointly run by the Directorate of Health Services and the Goa Medical College while it would be gradually expanded into a full fledged Hospital.
Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the proposed Ribandar Health Center file was approved by the Health Minister six months ago but was stalled by the Chief Minister due to opposition from Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik who wanted his Ayush Center there.
Adv. Rodrigues has also recalled that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had assured the Goa Legislative Assembly on 27th January this year that the Health Center would be set up at the Old Ribandar Hospital when the issue was raised by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai while local MLA Babush Monserrate though present in the Assembly surprisingly did not say a word.
Adv. Rodrigues has stated that more recently during the CCP elections in March this year Babush Monserrate publicly having solemnly promised that the Health Center at the Old Ribandar Hospital would be a reality before this monsoon, he and his three Ribandar CCP Councillors are now accountable to that promise made.
