Tuesday, March 24, 2020

[IAC#RG] THE COVID-19 CONUNDRUM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week had appealed to the people of India to observe a 'Janata Curfew 'on 22nd March from 7 am to 9pm to support the cause of defeating COVID-19 and the entire nation heeded. A message on social media had claimed that the lifetime of corona virus is only 12 hours and that staying home for 14 hours during Janata curfew would break the chain of transmission.

Now with the Prime Minister announcing a 21 day total lock-down this state of flux may continue indefinitely nobody knowing what's in store. Ironically over the last few days instead of focusing on dealing with COVID-19 politics was a priority. While for Prime Minister unseating the government by horse trading in Madhya Pradesh took precedence in Goa for Chief Minister campaigning across the State in the Zilla Parishad elections was a priority. Those elections were postponed after High Court rapped the State Election Commission for acting irresponsibly in risking people's lives.

Goa Chief Minister on 22nd March extended the 'Janata curfew' by three days but no official order has been issued. There is only a prohibitory order under Section 144 of Cr.P.C which does not allow assembly of more than four persons. So how is the so called extended 'Janata curfew' being enforced?

On COVID-19 it has been goofs and gaffes galore by Goa Government. While the Health Minister stressed the need for all to wear masks, the Chief Minister blurted that it was not necessary and there was nothing to worry. In another very immature and impulsive direction the Chief Minister called upon print media to stop printing newspapers only to withdraw that direction the following day. So if those in power are themselves confused on what to do and say, what should be the plight of the public who are perplexed and now doubting the intentions of those in power?

There is rightly a sense of disbelieve and a trust deficit with those in Power. In 2014 Narendra Modi while assuring 'Achhe din' had vowed that money stacked in Swiss banks would be brought back and 15 lakhs would be credited into everyone's bank account. It is over 6 years and both those promises have remained a dream. So it is rightly a case of once bitten twice shy! 


Aires Rodrigues

Advocate High Court

C/G-2, Shopping Complex

Ribandar Retreat,

Ribandar – Goa – 403006


Mobile No: 9822684372


Office Tel  No: (0832) 2444012

Email: airesrodrigues1@gmail.com

                         Or

           airesrodrigues@yahoo.com


You can also reach me on


Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues


Twitter@rodrigues_aires


www.airesrodrigues.com


No comments:

Post a Comment