Team Herald
PANJIM: Even as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has decided to hold cabinet meeting via video conferencing or by circulation during his absence, he has kept an alternative ready in case of any emergency wherein a minister appointed by him will chair the meeting.
Before leaving for Mumbai on Monday, Parrikar informed about this arrangement and other developments like formation of a Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) and updates about his health in a written communique to Governor Mridula Sinha.
“The meeting of council of ministers when held shall be presided over by me through video conferencing or by circulation. If that is not feasible for any reason or as I may decide at a later point of time, the minister nominated by me shall preside at a particular meeting of the council of ministers. I will separately instruct the Chief Secretary in such an exigent,” he said in a three-page letter to Sinha.
He has also informed about the three-minister team of Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, Vijai Sardesai and Francisco D’Souza that will function as CAC.
“Chief Secretary shall in consultation with Principal Secretary to Chief Minister prepare and fix the agenda to be placed before the said committee. The aforesaid committee may meet at least once every week, at such point of time and place, and is empowered to decide unanimously amongst themselves on certain important financial year-ending issues and/or other time bound/ emergent matters with regard to which the administration may be required to take a decision upon in my absence and/or I may be required to refer and place the same before this committee,” he further said adding that the committee before taking any decision on financial matters shall consult department of finance.
While spelling out further details on the functioning of the committee and the financial power up to Rs 5 crore, Chief Minister also informed that any important or major matter concerning Finance, Home, Personal and General Administration be referred to him for approval without which no order be passed.
The temporary arrangement connected with the Disposal of Business of Departments as well as that of Council is up to March 31, 2018.
In this communication to the Governor, the Chief Minister has also thanked her for visiting him and inquiring about his health.
