Panaji: The state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane recently informed that the government is going to 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.

had earlier reported that Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has banned private hearse van operators from the premises of the largest government-run hospital the Goa Medical College because of overcharging deceased’s kin.

He had accused Silveira 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.

“I was really shocked to get a message from the Dean of the Goa Medical College, Silveira has threatened him with dire consequences over this. I have ordered them to be vacated from the hospital’s vicinity,” Rane informed.

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"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.

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Rane had announced the banning of private hearse vans from the hospital’s premises, days after his ministry launched a free hearse van service, with a fleet of three vans operated by ‘GVK-EMRI 108’ with government partnership.

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