Team Herald 

Porvorim: Amidst rumours of government collapse on the floor of the House, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday sailed through the Goa Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill 2019, without any hiccups despite two of the ruling members not being present in the House.

CM took a vote on account for five months for a total of Rs 8145.28 cr. He said that his current health condition had prevented him from presenting a full-fledged Budget.

The government will withdraw Rs 8145 cr from and out of the Consolidated Fund for the financial year 2019-20 towards defraying the several charges which will come in the course of payment during financial year in respect of the Services and purposes scheduled.

Prior to the budget rumour mills worked overtime to suggest Manohar Parrikar government would be in trouble during vote on account due to discontent with BJP as well as alliance partners.

However, the Opposition made no move for calling for division of votes despite the two ruling MLAs – Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza and Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar remaining absent due to sickness.

The Opposition leader Babu Kavlekar only made a mention that this was the second year in succession the government did not present a full-fledged budget.

“We understand the chief minister is sick and we have always co-operated with him but this is second year he did not present full Budget. He could have just tabled it, we could have read ourselves,” Kavlekar said adding “people expect new schemes and some kind of relief in the Budget but we have given nothing.”