Aam Aadmi Party has said that, with the BJP Govt failing to make adequate arrangements for beds, oxygen, home isolation and other critical functions of covid management, timely Vaccination remains the only hope for Goans. State Convenor Rahul Mhambre expressed frustration that CM Pramod Sawant has managed to complicate even this simple task, which could have been completed within a matter of weeks had the Govt focussed on people instead of politics.
Mhambre said that the BJP Govt was seen squirming in the High Court hearing today, trying to cover up its continuous failures in procuring and administering vaccines.
“The Hon. High Court bench, referring to the Govt’s own statements and affidavits, asked a number of detailed questions, but the Govt was not able to provide believable answers. Govt was seen contradicting itself a number of times, whether on the number of vaccine stocks available, or the reasons for the slow pace of vaccination”, Mhambre observed.
Recalling that CM Sawant had made a grand announcement in April that he would procure 15 lakh doses for Goa out of which 5 lakh doses would be directly from the manufacturer, Mhambre said that more than a month later the reality on the ground is very different.
“For 18-44 age group, Goan youth who are eager to get vaccinated are being made to compete on the CoWin portal over extremely limited spots every week. For 45+ age group, the Govt claimed in the High Court today that it has about 2.5 lakh doses available but no one is coming to take the vaccine, yet even confirmed appointments for second dose for 45+ have been cancelled”, Mhambre revealed.
Mhambre accused the BJP of focussing on its politics instead of the welfare of the people. While welcoming the Tika Utsav program, Mhambre said that BJP MLAs are spending more time ensuring their photo and Lotus symbol is on the posters than on actually mobilising people.
“Has Bharatiya Janata Party purchased these vaccines from its party fund? Is the vaccination happening in BJP office? Are BJP’s private doctors & nurses administering the vaccine? If not, then why is BJP symbol being promoted in a vaccination drive done by the Govt of Goa using taxpayers money?”, Mhambre demanded to know.
Pointing to the intentional bottleneck created on CoWin portal for 18-44 age group, Mhambre said this is being done only to stretch the vaccination program to hide the shortage of vaccines.
“Sawant does not want to have to close down vaccination centres and embarrass his high command. So he is releasing just 100 doses a day at each centre to try and stretch the limited vaccine stocks. He doesn’t care about the inconvenient and risk this creates for Goan youth”, Mhambre charged.
Mhambre said that Sawant should not try to hide its failures, and instead learn from the AAP Govt in Delhi which issues a daily Vaccination Audit in a transparent manner.
