Goa govt to ask college dean for filing case against Cong MLA over verbal abuse

The government will ask the dean of Goa Medical College and Hospital to file a case against Congress MLA Francis Silveira for allegedly threatening him over the eviction of ambulances from the medical facility's premises, said state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane Monday. Silveira is accused of threatening GMCH Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar after the latter ordered that ambulances parked in the premises be evicted in order to make a place for a free hearse van service, a charge denied by the Congress MLA.

"It is shameful on the part of MLA Silveira to threaten Dean Dr Bandekar overrunning a free hearse service at the GMCH. It is appalling opposition leaders are stooping so low. The government shall direct the dean of Goa Medical College to file an FIR against Silveira," Rane said in a statement released here Monday. When contacted, Silveira admitted he had spoken to the dean several times during the last couple of days but refuted allegations of issuing threats.

"I have cordial relations with the dean. I never abused him. I just requested him not to evict ambulance services which have been operating here for several years," the Congress MLA said.

(With inputs from agencies.)