PANJIM: Terming Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar granting powers to his principal secretary to record government decisions and sign on his behalf as “illegal” and “unconstitutional”, the Congress on Sunday said such moves will have huge ramification in future.
Addressing media persons, GPCC President Girish Chodankar brought on record a note signed by Chief Minister on February 28, stating “As per the doctor’s advice treating him to avoid contact with files on account of secondary infection and hence he authorises his Principal Secretary and in his absence, Secretary to the Chief Minister to record decisions on his behalf and sign”.
“The act is against the Rules of Business of Government of Goa 1991, which speaks about delegating powers to officers through proper notification. Nowhere, do the Rules speak about secretary or principal secretary recording decisions,” Chodankar said.
Terming the decisions taken post February 28 by the government, where there is no Chief Minister’s signature, as “illegal” and “unconstitutional”, Chodankar said that such decisions will have huge ramification in future. “If tomorrow someone moves to court and the same is declared as null and void, then who will be held accountable?” he questioned while responding that if no individual moves to Court, Congress itself will take it up.
Chodankar claimed that there are more than 3000 files, where CM has not signed. He even stated that rather than giving illegal powers, Parrikar should appoint his Principle Secretary P Krishnamurthy as Chief Minister or deputy Chief Minister and delegate powers.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar took dig at TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai over his recent statement asking his party’s youth wing not to allow airlines to operate at State airport, if companies don’t make announcements in Konkani language.
“If Sardesai is really bothered about protecting Konkani language, then he should first solve issues like appointment of Goa Konkani Academy Chairman, etc,” he said.
