Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar presented the State’s annual budget on Thursday morning within hours of being discharged from Lilavati hospital, Mumbai, .
Mr. Parrikar spoke for around eight minutes before tabling the budget, and thanked the people of Goa for all their wishes and prayers for his recovery.
Mr. Parrikar, who arrived accompanied by his son Utpal, was greeted by top officials, Ministers and ruling MLAs.
Parrikar tables Budget
Mr. Parrikar tabled a State budget with a gross expenditure of ₹ 17,123.28 crore and fiscal deficit of ₹ 763.68 crores.
No additional revenue mobilisation initiatives were announced in the budget, which has focused on generating employment in various sectors.
The Chief Minister informed the Speaker that he could not write the Budget speech on account of his health condition.
Mr. Parrikar was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital on February 15. Mr. Parrikar's decision to present the annual budget came as a surprise even to his Cabinet colleagues and legislators. Police and bureaucracy had to make last-minute arrangements and security.
Brief speech
In his brief speech while tabling the budget, Mr. Parrikar said: “I thank everyone who wished me for my speedy recovery through messages, letters and prayers at various temples, churches, mosques and in other way. I am overwhelmed by your love and affection. It fortifies my conviction that Goa and Goans are my extended family. It is your wishes and prayers which have helped me to recover speedily and return to Goa”.
“For complete recovery, I have been advised by the doctors some precautions in the immediate short term. During this period, my interaction with the public will be limited. However, I will be discharging my regular duties and obligations as the Chief Minister of the State,” Mr. Parrikar said.
Parrikar thanks coalition government
After a brief Cabinet meeting, where Mr. Parrikar thanked his coalition government Ministers for their concern and promised to meet them again. Secretary for Finance Daulat Havildar told The Hindu that the Chief Minster has directed officials to get his files to his residence and was due to hold his next Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
“We are happy to have him back. He has told us that the next cabinet meeting will be convened on coming Wednesday,” said Minister for Power Pandurang Madkaikar.
Opposition leader Chandrakant Kavlekar also said that the Assembly was glad to have Mr. Parrikar back. “We are glad to see him and we hope he recovers fully,” Mr. Kavlekar said.
To a question from a reporter seeking to know his health status, Mr. Parrikar said, “Nothing is wrong with me. I have been asked not to maintain close contact”.
