Margao – The shocking incident of the Balrath carrying Students turning turtle at Balli and injuring around 10 Students and causing mental trauma to others exposes the complete neglect of the BJP Government on Safety & Security of the Students in Goa. Event obsessed BJP Government headed by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant is playing with the lives of the innocent Students, charges Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
Leader of Opposition and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao taking serious note of the accident immediately called the South Goa Collector and the Health Authorities to ensure immediate medical aid to the injured students. He also visited the students at the South Goa District Hospital.
I demand to the Chief Minister to immediately order Safety Audits of all the Buses transporting Students to various Schools and Colleges across the State. The Government has failed to conduct Safety Audits of 663 Schools out of 1315 Schools in the State, leaving the fate of the Students at the mercy of God. Government has also failed to maintain the Buses transporting students, claimed Yuri Alemao.
There are 316 aided Institutions in Goa with 409 Balrath Buses, similarly Government has provided 87 Kadamba Buses to the Students of Government High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools. I doubt whether there is any system in place like Tracking Devices, Panic Buttons, Emergency Contact Numbers etc. which are much needed during emergency situations like todays accident. Even the credentials of the Drivers and Conductors on each Bus needs to be checked. The RTO and Traffic Police should be extra vigilant during the school timing to control rash and negligent driving, pointed Yuri Alemao.
I had also raised the issue of dilapilated School Buildings in the State in the last session of the Assembly. I had appealed to the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to undertake the Repair & Renovation works of the Schools which are craving for attention. It is high time that the Government focuses on providing Safety & Security to the students on topmost priority, said Yuri Alemao.
I hope that this unfortunate incident will be the eye opener for the BJP Government which is completely obsessed with Events by putting the lives of the Citizens at risk. I once again demand that the Government must immediately stop wasteful expenditures and utilize the funds for providing Safety & Security to Goans, stated Yuri Alemao.
