CM to go back to US for medical follow-up

NT NETWORK

 

PANAJI

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar will leave for the US on August 9 for his health review pertaining to his pancreatic ailment.

He will return to Goa on August 18.

During the week-long absence of the Chief Minister in the state, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma will handle the administrative matters.

Parrikar had been treated for the particular ailment in a New York-based hospital for a period of three months – from March to June – earlier this year.

During his forthcoming visit to the US, Parrikar will undergo follow-up health check with three doctors.

It has however not been decided as to who will unfurl the national tri-colour and inspecting the guard of honour in place of the Chief Minister on August 15 – the Independence Day – at the state-level function to be held in the capital city.

Meanwhile, local Bharatiya Janata Party sources told ‘The Navhind Times’ that there is no immediate cabinet reshuffle on the cards.

“The Chief Minister will leave for New Delhi on August 6 as he is scheduled to meet the central BJP leaders as well as a number of Union ministers during the following two days,” the sources maintained, adding that he will then fly to US on August 9.

When asked about the news reports as regards the cabinet reshuffle, the sources said the core committee of the state BJP unit is yet to meet to discuss the issue. The sources also stated that inclusion and exclusion in the state cabinet is the prerogative of the Chief Minister.

It is however learnt from highly placed sources that there could be some changes in the state cabinet after the return of the Chief Minister from the US.