the goan I network
PANAJI
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar defied the odds and attended the Assembly session on Thursday to present the Budget much to the surprise of his colleagues in the Assembly and those gathered around.
Dressed in a long-sleeved blue shirt, Parrikar appeared frail and walked with a more pronounced stoop than usual, but walked from the main entrance to his office at the Assembly complex nonetheless. Several Cabinet colleagues and MLAs arrived at the entrance of the House to welcome the chief minister before escorting him within the complex.
After chairing a Cabinet meeting where the Goa Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2018 was passed by the Cabinet, the Chief Minister presented himself on the floor of the Assembly which was specially preponed to 3 pm, from the regular reconvening time of 3:30 pm to accommodate the chief minister’s schedule.
“I rise to present the annual financial statement for the year 2018-19 with a small statement. Speaker sir, with all humility and with the support prayers and wishes of not only honourable members of this House but lakhs of my Goan brothers and sisters including leaders of various communities and religions, I stand before this august House with renewed strength and confidence to present the annual financial statement of 2018-19,” the Chief Minister said.
The chief minister touched down in the state in a private plane at the Dabolim airport at around 11:45 am and was taken away in a private car from the Naval base -- INS Hansa gate rather than the usual entrance to his home in Dona Paula accompanied by a police escort vehicle.
No sooner Parrikar landed, word reached the Goa Legislative Assembly before the House assembled for the day’s sessions that Parrikar would be presenting the Budget himself.
