NT NETWORK
VASCO
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza Friday said that he is desirous of contesting the forthcoming Goa assembly election from Mapusa constituency and that he would think about retiring from politics only after the age of 65.
D’Souza was speaking to the media during a function held in Vasco to launch a mobile medicare unit (MMU) van, which has been sponsored by Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL), a company based at Verna.
Speaking further, D’Souza said that politics is not about earning bread and butter for him, but despite that he can take up various activities in social life. “I have not thought about any retirement plan from politics; I would think of quitting politics only after the age of 65,” he said adding that the 2017 elections may be his last.
Speaking about the offshore casinos, D’Souza said that casinos are the “baby of Congress.” “However, they have certainly helped the state in earning revenue. BJP has never promoted gambling activities and also not encouraged the people to visit casinos,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.
On the issues faced by industrial estates in the state, D’Souza said that the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) should bring these issues before the right forum and that the Industries Minister should be informed about them for appropriate action. “The issues faced by the industrial estates can be resolved only after bringing the same to the notice of the concerned authorities,” he said.
D’Souza, who is also the Health Minister of the state, said that Goa ranks as the best state in the country in healthcare. He, however, said that Goa has its own problem of migration and added that the growth rate of the state is zero.
The mobile medicare unit, which was launched, consists of a dedicated professional team including a medical consultant, pharmacist, a social worker, a lab technician and driver. The unit aims at targeting the underprivileged population in urban and rural areas across Goa through free medical consultancy and diagnostics. Medicines for common ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis etc will be issued to the patients free of cost. Additionally, the team will also train caretakers on hygiene, sleep disorders, nutrition etc. The Mobile Medicare van is equipped with ENT and eye diagnostics, ECG machine, minor surgical and dressing kits to help the team to provide the best medical help possible. The services will be provided in Cortalim, Quelossim and Verna panchayat areas. The function was organised by HFCL in association with HelpAge India.