PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday rubbished all speculations of differences between him and health minister Vishwajit Rane.
“We might have different views on various issues, but when it comes to the cabinet, government and state, our view is one.
Earlier, too, I had told the media there we don’t have any issues between us.
There is no misunderstanding between us,” Sawant told reporters.
Since late 2020, Sawant and Rane have locked horns over many issues.
In December 2020, Rane wanted to close down all the New Year’s eve parties, but Sawant rejected the suggestion.
Then, earlier this year, just before the second wave, Rane was in favour of a lockdown and imposing restrictions on tourists visiting the state to control the spread of Covid.
But Sawant had shot down that proposition too, choosing instead to keep the economy running.
In another instance, more recently, BJP had to intervene between Sawant and Rane after the latter sought an inquiry into the Covid deaths occurring at the Goa Medical College in the early hours every morning due to shortage of oxygen.
The chief minister said that the state government is in the process of scheduling Tika Utsav 3.0 to cover the maximum number possible in the age group of 18 to 44 years.
“Let people criticise the state government for organising Tika Utsav, but it is through it that the state government has been able to reach many people for vaccination,” he said.
People’s response to the Tika Utsav, which are walk-in vaccination drives, have been good, he said.
Talking about the high Covid mortality seen in the second wave, the chief minister said that, in Goa, 100% of the Covid deaths are recorded which is why the figure is high.
“Even deaths of those in home isolation are recorded at the primary health centre,” Sawant said.