PANAJI
In a first-of-its-kind move, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has sent letters to all his Cabinet colleagues saying that he will be having a one-to-one meeting with them with regards to the upcoming budget session of the assembly in February.
Reliable sources have told The Goan Everyday that Parrikar is expected to meet all ministers in his Cabinet one by one in the last week of January and these meetings are likely to get over by the first week of February.
Earlier CM used to have a regular meeting with all his colleagues before the Budget, but this is the first time that he is meeting them one-to-one.
In the letter, sources further revealed, Parrikar has told his Cabinet colleagues to study the administration of all their departments and has instructed them to advise him various measures, which can be implemented.
It is also reported that Parrikar has instructed his Cabinet colleagues to prepare detailed performance reports of all their departments by taking the assistance of relevant secretaries, head-of-departments and also accounts departments.
These performance reports have been advised to include a section on utilisation of budget provisions of the ongoing financial year, 2017-18.
Typically during a budget, Parrikar announces new schemes or changes to existing schemes. Therefore, in the letter, Parrikar has told all his cabinet colleagues to provide details to him on the performance of ongoing schemes and also reasons to back up the performance. Meanwhile, the cabinet ministers have been told to advise necessary changes to the schemes to Parrikar.
Urban Development Minister, Francis D’Souza, meanwhile confirmed receiving a letter from Chief Minister on having a one-to-one meeting with them with regards to the upcoming budget session.
“Yes, we have got a letter from CM asking for one-to-one meeting with him before the Budget. In my meeting with CM, I will talk about how much money was allocated to my departments and how much money was spent”, D’Souza said.
