Q: You are completing two years as CM. How would you rate your performance?
Parsekar: I am quite happy. In fact I believe I have performed more than what I had imagined. Even with the prevailing financial crisis, my government continued with social welfare schemes and provided support prices on commodities like milk, paddy which were the support factors to the society.
The mining ban dealt a severe blow leading to revenue loss of about Rs 1400 crore per annum. I was worried as to whether we would be in a position to continue with schemes. Moreover, we had planned for several infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, hospitals, market complexes, playgrounds, among others.
Now when I look back, I am happy with what I achieved.
Q: With Assembly elections just two-three months away, what are your priorities?
Parsekar: BJP has not done work with elections in mind. It is in fray right from day one. Other parties make announcements in the election year.
Immediately after coming to power we removed VAT on petrol. Even today, there is a difference of Rs 14-15 per litre in the rates of petrol in Goa and the neighbouring states.
Additionally, the benefit under the DSS scheme was increased to Rs 2,000. We implemented schemes like Grih Aadhar, Laadli Laxmi, besides others.
This year too we have implemented the Deen Dayal health insurance scheme. This money is not from our pockets. It’s the public money which is going back to the people through a proper channel. Where was this money going earlier and that too when there was boom in mining? Congress should answer.
Q: Would you be happy to continue as Goa's CM?
Parsekar: Of course. I had never dreamt of becoming the chief minister when Parrikar was here. I didn’t get an opportunity to prepare myself. I was just informed on the previous day of swearing in.
When I took over as CM, I had to handle 17 portfolios which were totally new to me. I did not retain any of my old portfolios and so I had to start from scratch. Today, I am happy with my performance and the co-operation I have got from everyone.
Q: But Parrikar says the next CM would be decided by the central leadership.
Parsekar: What is wrong with that? May be if I was not there, it could have been interpreted in a different way. BJP is a national party. Parrikar has also not been given the authority by the central leadership. He as our guide and is helping us. He cannot just project me as the CM though the elections will be fought under my leadership. I will also never say that I would be the CM. We have certain discipline in the party.
Q: Parrikar said BJP is planning a different strategy for Salcete. Is it because your ‘Mission Salcete’ failed?
Parsekar: We do not have any specific strategy for any specific geographical location. At least I don’t look at it that way. We have a single strategy for the entire State. But being dominated by Catholic population, as part of the strategy, our candidates would be from the Catholic community. BJP is not a party which has different strategies for different areas.
Q: When BJP speaks of winning 26 seats, is it with Congress MLAs who are expected to join BJP?
Parsekar: When we say 26 candidates, it is 26 candidates on BJP ticket. Who joins, when he joins and whether he will join is a different question.
Q: The proposed IIT at Loliem has attracted opposition from locals and there are MLAs who have offered to welcome it in their constituencies. Comment.
Parsekar: It is easy to say such things. Even I feel that IIT should be set up in my constituency. But we need to have adequate land. Their requirement is huge so we have identified that land. If it was merely 4-5 lakh square metres, I would have set it up in my constituency. Luckily there is huge barren land and secondly, the rural areas should be developed through such projects, so that they flourish economically.
IIT is an educational institution with an international repute. There are people opposing it, who have their own objectives. When it comes to providing educational facilities of international repute, I have no second thought over it. We are ready to convince those who are opposing. If anybody is incurring any losses we are ready to compensate. I feel we should not let this opportunity slip.
Q: Why has the implementation of 7th pay commission delayed?
Parsekar: The 7th pay commission has given recommendations, it is not compulsion. There are states which have not even implemented 6th Pay Commission recommendations. I am for it, but I have to consider all factors. It would be done as early as possible. I will not wait for elections to come, but nobody should take me for granted and pressurise me.
Q: Will the MoI issue affect you in your constituency?
Parsekar: No, not at all. In almost every village there are institutions that run in English medium get grants. Some say that I will lose votes of Marathi/Konkani lovers, then what about others. How can I hurt them? I am not of the opinion to change the education policy. Let the people decide.
I don’t agree with the extreme stands taken by some factions. I have been a preacher of MoI policy and I support primary education in mother tongue. My government will not withdraw grants to the English medium primary schools.
Q: No other CM has distributed sarees in their constituencies in the past. Comment.
Parsekar: Women in my constituency are like my sisters. I have not sent the sarees secretly. There is my photo and name on the box and it is a bhaubeej gift. There is no lotus symbol too. Have I given it forcibly? I don’t need to tell what I have done, people know it better. They have full faith in me.
There is no relation between Diwali and votes. Every year I send them calenders. In the past too, I did the same. May be that was not an election year. If anyone is finding it objectionable, then I will say that it is a mistake on my part.
I have not spent anything on banners for Chaturthi and Diwali. If I send a packet of jalebis to a person’s house, it cannot be termed as a bribe. This is a question of good wishes and one’s feelings.
