Covid-19: BJP Govt not interested in the lives of Goans: Trajano D’mello

PANAJI: In the light of the rising number of Covid and Omicron cases across the country, social activist and present Goa TMC leader Trajano D’mello, coming down heavily on the backdoor entry given to Sunburn this year, said the BJP government in Goa is not at all concerned about the lives of Goans.

“Maharashtra has imposed Section 144 across the State till 31st December. Indoor parties and events, dining at indoor restaurants, etc., is restricted to 25 percent capacity in Mumbai. But in Goa, Sunburn is given backdoor entry. The owner of HillTop, the venue where Sunburn is being held this year, has requested the authorities permission to rent/utilize a huge plot of land on which nearly 5000 cars can be parked. This means at a time nearly 10,000 to 15,000 guests could be present at the venue,” D’mello explained.

States like Kerala are recording alarmingly higher number of new Covid infections each passing day, but the Goa government is not bothered. There is very porus or almost nil Covid surveillance and testing at Goan border checkpoints, D’mello stated.

“Similarly, the Casinos are running full steam. I have approached the Bombay High Court at Goa on three occasions in the last few years, regarding the drugs issue at Sunburn. Now we have the Covid sword hanging precariously above the necks of Goans. Covid cases are rising all over India. How can the Goa government permit events like Sunburn (even though on a smaller scale) and the Casinos to run, wherein thousands of people will attend simultaneously. Isn’t this putting lives of Goans at risk,” D’mello asked?