Amid nationwide shutdown, hospital pharmacies exempt

Panaji: Goa police on Tuesday moved to procure a second 15-metre fast patrol boat for coastal security at a cost of over Rs 3.4 crore, adding to a similar vessel that is already on order.

The new boat will be used for day and night patrols in shallow coastal waters, with limited operations in deeper waters, and beyond visual range in special cases. It will also support interception and boarding of high-speed vessels, search and rescue missions, and special forces operations.

At present, the coastal security wing has only one operational 15-metre fast interceptor boat, Chandreshwar, for patrolling Goa’s 105-km coastline.

“The 15-metre fast interceptor boat was utilised to maintain patrolling along the 105km coastline, covering the jurisdiction of coastal security police stations in accordance with the weekly patrolling pattern drawn up by the police department,” a senior police officer said.

Goa police had earlier procured five high-density polyethylene (HDPE) boats, with one each allotted to the coastal security police stations at Tiracol, Siolim, Panaji, harbour and Talpona.

Police said the new patrol boat will have a service life of 10 years, with an average annual usage of 1,000 running hours, subject to proper maintenance. Deputy superintendent of police (central procurement cell), Rupendra Shetgaonkar, said bids have been invited for its construction. The selected bidder will also have to provide five days of training in Goa to 10 police personnel on operation and first-line maintenance.

The decision comes after a security review following the Pahalgam terror attack, during which Goa police flagged a shortage of fast patrol boats. Chief minister Pramod Sawant had directed coastal police to urgently hire boats on rent for patrolling.

Police also said two interceptor boats allotted to the Siolim coastal security police station — a five-tonne and a 12-tonne vessel — have remained non-functional since July 2021. “It has been decided to condemn these boats as they have crossed their optimum expected life and are economically not viable for their repairs,” a senior police officer said.

Officers said stronger coastal patrolling is essential for Goa, and more patrol boats may be procured in future if the government approves the proposal.

Panaji: On Wednesday, pharmacies in all govt as well as private hospitals will remain open despite the nationwide shutdown to protest against illegal e-pharmacies, the Food and Drugs Administration stated on Tuesday.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the state will be open too, the FDA has stated.

FDA director Sweta Dessai said chains of Wellness Forever and Antila Generic Medicine stores will be open throughout the state on the FDA's request to ensure there's no inconvenience caused to people. A few outlets of Apollo Pharmacy will also remain open, she said.

"In case of any emergency where medication is not available, the public can contact the FDA, and we will make them available," she said.

Last week, the Chemists and Druggists Association of Goa announced that pharmacies would be shut on May 20 to join the nationwide shutdown to protest against the unregulated functioning of online pharmacies and predatory pricing.

The association said that pharmacy counters inside hospitals will stay open and advised people to buy their regular medicines in advance to avoid any inconvenience during the closure.