the goan I network
PANAJI
With Mapusa MLA and BJP’s representative on the Cabinet Advisory Committee set to travel abroad and be out of station over the coming weeks, it leaves the leading party in the current coalition government without its second most senior member.
D’Souza left Goa for Mumbai on Saturday evening and will travel to Portugal for a private visit and in the interim period, his portfolios Urban Development and Law besides others will be handled by the Chief Minister, who himself is being treated for a pancreatic ailment in the USA.
However, D’Souza sought to play down the significance of his absence saying that both the Cabinet Advisory Committee as well as his portfolios will not really miss him over the coming weeks.
“Hardly any work comes before the CAC. The last files I signed on Friday. There may be at the most two meetings of the CAC during the period of my absence. In any case, the CAC is only a recommendatory body, the final decision is taken by the CM. So whether I’m there or not there, there won’t be much of a difference. The other two members of the Cabinet Advisory Committee will still be there to handle the matters that come before it,” D’Souza told The Goan.
D’Souza said he handed over charge to CM and sought his leave of absence before proceeding on leave.
The ruling BJP is already reeling under pressure from Congress which has accused the ruling parties of running a headless government.
D’Souza has earlier made it known that he was not too chuffed with the existence of the Cabinet Advisory Committee pointing out to its recommendatory nature and how the real powers continue to lie with the Chief Minister.
The BJP had in the past insisted that their government is running fine without the Chief Minister’s physical presence with South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar claiming that the government would run fine without the chief minister.
In his absence, the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had appointed a three-member cabinet advisory committee to clear financial sanctions up to Rs 5 crore.
However, Parrikar had at the end of March, extended the tenure of the 3-member Cabinet Advisory Committee by another month to April 30, while increasing their power to take decisions on financial expenditure up to Rs 10 cr.
Won’t make much difference: FRANCIS
Hardly any work comes before the CAC. The last file I signed on Friday
There may be at the most two meetings of the CAC during the period of my absence
CAC is only a recommendatory body, the final decision is taken by CM
I’m there or not, there won’t be much of a difference
The other two members of the Cabinet Advisory Committee will still be there to handle the matters that come before it
