Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, currently in the USA for medical treatment, has extended the tenure of the Cabinet Advisory Committee set up by him for a second time till May 31, as per state government communication.
In an official memorandum issued today, state Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma stated the tenure of the committee, comprising Sudin Dhavalikar (Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party), Francis D'Souza (BJP) and Vijai Sardesai (Goa Forward Party), has been extended.
"The chief minister is pleased to direct that the arrangements made for the transaction of business of government vide the office memorandum dated March 29, 2018 in his absence on medical grounds, shall be continued for a further period with effect from May 1, 2018 to May 31, 2018 on the same terms," the memorandum said.
The CAC was constituted by Parrikar in the first week of March this year before he left for the USA for treatment of his pancreatic ailment.
The committee was initially given a term of one month, which was subsequently extended till April 30.
During the last extension, the chief minister had increased the financial powers of the CAC from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore.
However, outgoing state unit Congress president Shantaram Naik questioned the extension of the committee's tenure.
"Under what provision of the Constitution the cabinet advisory committee's"term has been extended? How come the chief minister grant an extension to a committee which does not exist in the eyes of the law," he questionned.
The Congress had in the past submitted a petition to state Governor Mridula Sinha stating that the CAC is unconstitutional.
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