By blowing their Bugles and Trumpets, the Cabinet of Goa met yesterday, 8.4.20, in the morning to find out the solution for the Corona Virus and whether to lift the Lock Down introduced in Goa including the Section 144 about 20 days back. What I don’t understand is the show our ministers are making of their capacity and knowledge in this matter to move ahead. What are these Ministers of ours and what is their knowledge scientifically and professionally in this subject on which they attended the meeting?
Take for example, is the Health Minister fit to be the health minister when he is not FIT by qualification in Medical Science? In view of this, he lacking the appropriate qualification to handle this subject, he will make a mess of Health in Goa. Health portfolio is the most important portfolio not only in Goa but mainly in India. India must give top priority for this Health portfolio after the defence portfolio. There was the time following the attaining of independence, India gave less importance to Defence but when China waged its deadly war against India on its Northern borders acquiring huge land of India which is still in the possession of China and it will remain with China only because India got NO power to wage a war against China to get back the captured land. Then out of compulsion, India brought Defence portfolio to the first place as far as its importance is concerned otherwise the pigmy countries surrounding India will just swallow India.
Vishwajit Rane was brought up like a prince at his home with superiority complex and getting whatever he wants including the portfolio of his liking whether he got expertise in handling that portfolio professionally or not. My concern over him is increased now tremendously because right now we need an expert to handle the Health Portfolio otherwise he is likely to make disaster of Health problems of Goans. The health concern of the Goans should be given the top priority and in the bargain if necessary Vishwajit Rane should be removed from the Health portfolio.
According to me, none of the Cabinet members of CM Sawant looked great nor intellectual giants, they don’t look like great thinkers nor performers of great work. If you observe them piercingly thru their foreheads they give a poor image of themselves indicating they are fit to do the very minor jobs and that too taking interest of their own needs. They are not fit to handle the intricacies of the current complicated situation. If they are capable to rise to the occasion as per the demands of the situation they would arrange very smoothly the public distribution system of the emergency requirement of residents. Such a lengthy Cabinet is Sawant having but even after completing a fortnight this Cabinet of Goa is sill groping in the darkness. I don’t expect anything extraordinary from this Cabinet.
According to the news items appearing from different angles but not confirmed, the dedlline for Lock Down will end on 14th of this month,it is likely to go still further up to 30th of this month, subject to the final approval by the premier. When it is our decision relating to our Goa then why we rest it on the shoulders of premier for his decision? We know what is good and what is bad for us and accordingly it should have been done. This date of ending the Lock Down should not be extended but phased out in stages partially little by little phasing it to end.
When such emergencies take place needing drastic actions only the commoner shoulder more responsibility while those holder of Cabinet meetings are nicely enjoying their previlleged life with previlleged facilities. What sacrifices the elected representatives including the Cabinet members did to face the difficult life because of Corona virus? They are living the same posh life in Panjim at Altinho Bungalows, they are using the same posh cars and everything the same. When this is the case those who are suffering are the common folks while those who are previlleged they are living their life as normal and as luxurious as before. For them the Lock Down period can be extended not only up to 30.04.20 but even up to next year. It is said charity begins at home but in our case charity begins with the commoner. This is our tragedy.
How many of our ministers and MLA’s stand in the “Q” to collect their groceries and other necessary items as we the common people do? Do the policemen beat them brutally with big “Danda” on the road while catching them on the road? Do the ministers face the hard life during these days as the common men face? According to me they are immune to all the difficulties the commoner is suffering because of Corona Virus.
A.Veronica Fernandes.