Governor objects to new Raj Bhavan plan

NT NETWORK

Panaji

Trying to put a spoke in government’s wheel vis-à-vis the new Raj Bhavan plan, Governor Satya Pal Malik has strongly objected to the proposal for construction of a new gubernatorial residence when the state is battling the COVID-19 pandemic and reeling under financial crisis.

The Governor maintained that there is no proposal for constructing a new Raj Bhavan as of now. The project would be taken up only when the finances of the state improve and that too within the premises of the existing Raj Bhavan, a press release issued by the department of information and publicity on Saturday stated.

The Governor in the statement said that he has written a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on July 27, 2020, requesting the government to defer the proposal till state’s finances improve.

“A lot of negativities and controversies are being generated on the matter of the state government’s proposal for construction of new Raj Bhavan building at various media platforms,” Malik observed.

Recently Sawant had announced plans for constructing a new Raj Bhavan, directing the officials concerned to start process for identifying land.

“I believe that at the time when the state is battling COVID-19 and reeling under financial crisis, the idea to construct a new Raj Bhavan is irrational and

imprudent,” Malik said in the statement.

Malik is of the opinion that any new capital work would entail unnecessary additional financial burden on the state exchequer thereby exacerbating the economic distress of the state.

The Governor further clarified that his requirement for functioning as Governor is very limited, and that he does not require any new Raj Bhavan building per se.

Opposition leader Digambar Kamat welcomed the decision of the Governor directing Sawant to defer the proposal on the new Raj Bhavan.

“It is the responsibility of every government to set its priorities. Giving basic comforts to the needy must top the agenda of every effective administration,” Kamat said in a statement issued here.

He said that an economic revival plan is need of the hour.