The Aam Aadmi Party's Canacona volunteers are forced to go on a Hunger Strike to protest against continued lethargy and inaction by the Health Minister Mr. Francis D'Souza and rank hypocrisy by the Canacona MLA Mr. Ramesh Tawadkar, after repeated pleas from Canacona residents to improve the dismal condition of health and medical response facilities to Canacona have fallen on deaf ears. *The strike will begin on 25th May at 10.00 am at Old bus stand, Chaudi, Canacona*. Citizens may contact Ravi Komarpant at 9764780964.
AAP Canacona had earlier highlighted the pitiable state of the Community Health Centre in Canacona, which does not have even basic medical facilities such as x-ray service or life-saving medicines, and most of the infrastructure such as lift lies in disrepair. To add to their woes, the 108 emergency response service to Canacona is highly unreliable, with the only vehicle in bad condition and lacking basic life-saving first-aid equipment. Over the past many years, numerous citizen groups as well as AAP volunteers have repeatedly petitioned the Health Minister to highlight their demands. Every village panchayat in Canacona as well as the local Municipal Council have passed resolutions on this issue, demanding the improvement of medical facilities. *It may be recalled that Mr. Tawadkar himself, as** the opposition MLA from Poinguinim, ** was a leader in the Canacona Health Welfare Committee which has been highlighting the exact same issue since 2008. Mr. Tawadkar also used this issue to full effect during his election campaign of 2012. However, even though he is now a ruling party MLA and even a minister, he has conveniently forgotten his promises to the people. Were his protests in Canacona prior to 2012 just a "nautanki" to garner votes of the people on a sensitive and emotional issue? * *http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/The-Sunday-Roundtable/hundreds-protest-in-canacona-demanding-better-healthcare/39524.html <http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/The-Sunday-Roundtable/hundreds-protest-in-canacona-demanding-better-healthcare/39524.html>* AAP had also submitted a memorandum to the Health Minister, the Canacona MLA and other officials last week, but there has been no response to the same. Precious lives have already been lost, such in the recent case of Santosh Raya Naik in an accident at Maxem, and the lethargy and hypocrisy of the BJP-led Government cannot be allowed to take more lives. AAP requests all citizens of Canacona and Goa to support with your presence on 25th at 10.00 am and expose the lethargy and hypocrisy of the BJP-led Government of Goa, and force the heartless Minister and MLA to heed the people's demands. Sincerely, Rajeshree Nagarsekar Convenor
