CM asks legislator if he would sell medicines at night

Panaji, Aug 18: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today asked Independent legislator Naresh Sawal if he would sell veterinary medicines at late night, after the duo had an argument over availability of drugs during emergency.

"I will supply you medicines and will also provide a refrigerator. Will you sell the veterinary medicines at midnight? We can't keep government offices open in the night to sell these medicines," Parrikar said on the floor of the House during Question Hour today.

He reacted after a verbal duel with Sawal in the House over availability of veterinary medicines in the state, specially during the night time. Sawal said farmers have to travel far distances to get the medicines and they are not available after dusk. Responding to the statement, the Chief Minister said it is not possible to keep the government offices open till midnight.

The medicines are also made available at Goa milk cooperative union's offices, he said. During the Question Hour, Animal Husbandry Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the state government is providing all possible help to the farmers. "We have increased the subsidy to purchase cattle from Rs 40,000 to Rs 75,000. We are very serious about helping the farmers," he added.

PTI