Cong delegation meets Governor over ‘absence of governance’ in state

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

A delegation of the Congress party, on Monday, met the Governor Mridula Sinha, and expressed concern over the absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and also the ‘absence of governance’ in the state.

The ten-member delegation was led by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Shantaram Naik and Congress Legislature Party leader Chandrakant Kavlekar.

They demanded that all the decisions taken by the government except those which were required to be retained on humanitarian grounds be quashed and set aside.

They also urged the Governor that the session of the Goa State Assembly which was adjourned due to the sickness of the Chief Minister should be convened, at the earliest.

The Congress delegation also demanded that a White Paper should be issued with respect to the decisions taken by the government from the date of the adjournment of the House till date.

They urged the Governor to ensure that regular health bulletin is issued by the government as regard the health of the Chief Minister who is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United States.

“Article 163 (1) of The Constitution of India clearly says that there shall be a council of ministers with Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in exercise of his function. This system is not there at all. So, therefore, we have asked about the matters in which Governor has been given advice, if so then by whom and what decisions are being taken with respect to those advice,” said Naik while speaking to reporters at Raj Bhavan, Dona Paula.

He said that he informed the Governor that Cabinet Advisory Committee was unconstitutional and can be valid only in case of Presidential Rule in the State.

He said that Rules of the Business of Government of Goa 1991 should have been amended to facilitate the decision by Chief Minister through video conferencing, and it is important to have unanimity to take a decision by circulation in the state Cabinet.

“I informed the Governor that Goa has a precedent that whenever Chief Minister leaves the state he has to assign his responsibility to somebody and we have never seen a situation in any Indian state where a three-member committee is appointed in the absence of the Chief Minister,” said Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.

CLP leader Chandrakant Kavlekar said that he raised the issue of ongoing mining crisis in the state and the issue of the workers dependent on mining.

“We have urged Governor to look into the matter and ensure that these workers continue to be employed in mining companies and subsequently the government should make progress and try to resume the mining activity at the earliest,” he said.