Porvorim: Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar raised several key issues concerning healthcare, civic infrastructure, municipal administration and public welfare while speaking on multiple budget demands on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Supporting the demands while opposing the cut motions, Amonkar highlighted concerns affecting people of Mormugao and other parts of the state.
Speaking on the demand related to Goa Medical College and Hospital, Amonkar thanked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane for improvements in the health sector, including the operationalisation of Tuem Hospital linked with GMC, the introduction of Online OPD services, and the addition of postgraduate medical seats including a DM programme in Neurology. However, he pointed out that GMC remains overburdened and stressed the need to establish fully equipped Cardiac Care Units and General Surgery Departments in district and sub-district hospitals across the state and link them with GMC.
Amonkar also requested the regularisation of technicians working in the cardiology department such as stress test, cath lab and echo technicians who have been serving on contract for more than 14 years. He further raised concerns faced by parents of autistic children undergoing treatment at GMC, noting that EEG tests are conducted at the Super Speciality Block while sedative doses are administered at OPD-14 in the old block, forcing parents to walk long distances with their children. He urged the government to bring the infrastructure under one roof and also review therapy sessions for autistic children by increasing the duration beyond the current 30-minute slots.
While speaking on the demand related to the Directorate of Health Services, Amonkar thanked the government for sanctioning a much-needed 20-bedded Primary Health Centre for Mormugao, the construction of which is expected to begin shortly. He also expressed gratitude for the recently inaugurated Urban Aayushman Arogya Mandir at the Headland Sada market complex. However, he requested the Health Minister to ensure regular availability of medicines at the facility.
The MLA also demanded a cardiac care ambulance for Mormugao and an additional ambulance at the Sub-District Hospital in Chicalim, stating that when one ambulance is used to shift patients to GMC or the South Goa District Hospital in Margao, there is none left to handle emergencies locally. He further called for additional doctors and medical staff at Chicalim hospital and demanded the introduction of a fourth dialysis shift between 6 pm and 10 pm to reduce waiting time for patients.
Amonkar also highlighted the work of NGOs involved in HIV prevention and control under the National AIDS Control Programme, noting that several organisations have been working in the field for over 25 years. He said many staff members receive very low remuneration and lack financial security after retirement, urging the government to provide grant-in-aid support so that salaries can be improved and incentives introduced.
During the discussion on the demand for the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour, the MLA demanded regularisation of patient care attendants who have been serving on contract for more than a decade without benefits such as PF or ESI. He also called for the installation of CCTV surveillance across the institute to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare staff.
Speaking on Women and Child Development, Amonkar requested the government to clear all pending applications under the Griha Aadhar and Laadli Laxmi schemes from Mormugao constituency. He said several cases have been pending for years due to documentation issues, particularly marriage certificates in the case of Griha Aadhar. He also demanded regularisation of around 30 field assistants appointed on contract in 2016 under the Directorate of Women and Child Development.
The MLA further raised the demand to increase honorariums for Anganwadi workers and helpers, stating that workers currently receive around ₹10,000 per month while helpers receive about ₹6,000. He urged the government to increase the honorarium to ₹25,000 for workers and ₹12,500 for helpers and also extend benefits such as PF, ESI and pension after retirement.
During the discussion on Town and Country Planning, Amonkar highlighted the difficulties faced by residents of Mormugao Taluka due to the mandatory requirement of Naval NOC for construction within the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority. He said obtaining the NOC often takes three to four months and urged the government to take up the issue with naval authorities so that areas outside the flying zone or funnel area can be exempted from the requirement.
Speaking on municipal administration, Amonkar thanked the government for granting temporary status to 59 daily wage workers of the Mormugao Municipal Council who had been working for more than seven years. He also urged authorities to expedite the process of auctioning the remaining shops in the newly constructed Headland Sada market complex so that it can become fully operational and generate revenue and employment.
He also demanded the improvement of pathways and drainage systems across wards in Mormugao through the Goa State Urban Development Agency. Additionally, Amonkar proposed amendments to the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968 on the lines of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act to strengthen municipal financial powers. He cited the example of port berths operated by private entities under the Mormugao Port Authority, which he claimed do not currently pay taxes or fees to the municipality.
Finally, speaking on forest-related demands, the MLA welcomed the government’s concept of vertical forests and vertical gardens for urban sustainability. He informed the House that the Mormugao Municipal Council has submitted a proposal to develop a vertical garden on the pillars of the NH-566 flyover near Baina beach and requested the government to consider the proposal.
