Team Herald

PANJIM: In the wake Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s hospitalisation in Mumbai, the month-long Budget session of the State Legislative Assembly, which began on Monday, has been curtailed to four days, and the Budget will be tabled on February 22.

Public Works Department Minister Ramakrishan (Sudin) Dhavalikar has been given charge of the government in the absence of the Chief Minister. Dhavalikar will be also table the Budget. 

An emergency Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting was held on Monday afternoon under the chairmanship of Speaker Dr Pramod Sawant. 

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Sawant said that owing to the Chief Minister’s medical condition of Chief Minister, it has been decided to curtail the Budget session to four days. “On Tuesday and Wednesday, there would be regular business including Question Hour, Zero Hour and vote of thanks on the Governor’s address,” he said. 

“On Thursday, the State Budget would be tabled before the House. There will be also vote on account for a period of five months,” the Speaker said hinting that the next session of the State Assembly will be held in the monsoon, when the Budget will be debated and passed. 

Earlier, the Speaker informed the House that Dhavalikar will be charge of the government in absence of Chief Minister. The Speaker said Dhavalikar will respond to the business which has been marked against the name of the Chief Minister.

While stating that Parrikar is constantly interacting with officers, Sawant said that he is very keen to present Budget himself. “When I spoke to him at the hospital in Mumbai about curtailing the session and budget, CM told me he is still finishing the Budget speech which he wants to be present in the House,” the Speaker told reporters.

Dhavalikar, an MGP MLA, is a minister in the Parrikar-led coalition government. The media was informed that Dhavalikar’s name was approved by the BJP during its legislative wing meeting on Monday morning and that the party had convinced its other coalition partners – Goa Forward Party and Independents – on this. “The coalition parties have agreed to Dhavalikar’s name,” BJP president and MP Vinay Tendulkar said.

Later speaking to media, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said that though the Budget would be tabled by Dhavalikar, questions related to Finance Department and other portfolios held by the Chief Minister, will not be taken up during the business. 

When contacted, Dhavalikar confirmed that he has been asked to place the Budget.  “The Chief Minister through Speaker has empowered me to table the Budget on Thursday,” he said but hastened to add that “Parrikar might come on Wednesday to the House.”

“I will be in charge of the government in absence of the Chief Minister. I will sign all the papers and also answer questions on behalf of the Chief Minister,” he added. 

Though Congress extended its support to the decision to curtail the sittings of the House, it recommended that the session resume next month, once the Chief Minister is back. 

“The Speaker told us that there is a possibility of Chief Minister soon arriving back in the State. Congress Legislative Party suggested that the session be discontinued temporarily and be resumed after the Chief Minister arrives,” Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said. 

Kavlekar said the session should not be postponed for another four months as there are several burning issues to be discussed. “There are many issues of public importance, which need to be raised in a time bound manner. House should resume soon and take up those questions which have already been submitted,” he said.