O2 deaths: As oppn slams govt, Goa health minister calls in 'sick'

PANAJI: The two-day winter session of the Goa legislative assembly — the last before the state goes to polls early next year — began on Monday with the opposition putting the government on the mat over the oxygen-related deaths at GMC. Health minister Vishwajit Rane was conspicious by his absence, with the Speaker saying he was “unwell”.
With no health minister in the House, the opposition demanded that CM Pramod Sawant provide the answers, but to no avail, leading to several crucial questions on the May tragedy going unanswered as speaker Rajesh Patnekar adjourned the House till 12.30pm.
“I request (that) members should not ask for information that is too detailed, as it ought to be collected, collated and given within a given time frame, ” said Patnekar in his ruling allowing the “postponement” sought by Rane, which was interrupted by opposition members, who refused to accept it.
This happened minutes after the session began, and before question hour could even begin. Opposition members rushed to the well of the House over the issue. Leader of opposition Digambar Kamat first raised objections, stating that they had not received a reply to the question on Covid deaths even though it was not postponed. He was joined by GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai and independent MLA Rohan Khaunte.
The speaker said Rane had sought leave as he was “unwell”, and questions listed against his name were postponed on his request. “When a minister seeks postponement under rule 49 (2) of the rules of procedure and conduct of business on the ground that it is not possible to collect information within a time frame, (if) it is too detailed, I have to allow it,” Patnekar said.
Khaunte said that in Rane’s absence, the CM can reply to health-related questions. “Why has the session been summoned if you don’t want to give answers?” asked Khaunte.
Patnekar said it is an inherent right of the members of the House to seek information from the government while discharging duties.
Earlier, questions about Covid deaths and Covid management, including postponed questions — listed to be answered in the ongoing session — about purchases made for the pandemic, on communidade land grabs and Mopa airport, were yet again deferred to the next session even as Sardesai, Khaunte and others objected.
Chief minister Pramod Sawant said responses sought to some of the questions asked were voluminous, and the government needed time to collect information, and they were adjourned.