Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai has written to the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant offering to “open the doors of Goemkar Ghor to the Goa Govt for immediate use as a COVID-19 Vaccination Centre”.
Goemkar Ghor, which houses the Fatorda MLA’s office, will provide the required space to create comfortable environment for all Goemkars in need of vaccines. Vijai pointed out the deep concern and discomfort caused to the people during the initial vaccine rollout in the state as BJP logos and banners were insensitively used in vaccination drives across Goa.
He emphasised that “vaccines are a nationwide united endeavour, and in this fight against the coronavirus we should see ourselves only as Goans, and not as party affiliated Goans”.
The former Deputy CM brought the people’s attention to the consistent calls GFP has made, even from the early days of the pandemic in Goa, for the need to increase testing, insist on negative RTPCR test reports for inbound travellers, enforce stricter social distancing norms, postpone offline exams, and quickly distribute vaccines for all Goans.
Sardesai said, “the time has come now for all Goans to help one another as this is a moment to unite and show the country how Goans can come out of this pandemic in the most humane and compassionate way.
In the letter to the CM, Vijai pointed out that the invitation to open Goemkar Ghor does not come “as an opposition political party, but as true and concerned Goemkars”. He reminded the Chief Minister that “as elected representatives we have taken an oath to always help and support our people, which is consistent with putting Goem and Goemkar first, and in tune with the spirit of Goemkarponn.”
Vijai Sardesai stated that Goa needs decisive leadership in these times and called for establishing a COVID-19 Command Centre. Sardesai noted that this Command Centre will support state-wide public and private medical operators and inform the people on bed availability, vaccine locations, and oxygen supply in real time.
Commenting on the vaccinations so far, Vijai Sardesai said that “vaccinations are the need of the hour, and it is painful to see our beloved Goemkars suffer unnecessarily due to the lack of management and, misplaced priorities of the government.”
Sardesai urged all Goans to get vaccinated as soon as possible if they can, practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times. He added that during the lockdown, the Goa Forward Party will extend all support to Goemkars in distress, to the best of its ability.
