PANJIM: Minister Michael Lobo’s recent statement against BJP stalwart, late Manohar Parrikar, appears to have cost him his cabinet ranking with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant demoting Lobo to the last position.
Lobo, who was ranked seventh, is now at 12th position in the cabinet ministers list. Lobo’s remark against Parrikar, alleging the latter did not take anyone into confidence before allowing app-based taxi service GoaMiles, had angered the BJP that soon issued him a show cause notice.
While no portfolios among the ministers have changed, the CM has only revised the seniority list. Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho has been elevated from the eight position to fourth, replacing Jennifer Monserrate who now ranks 10th in the cabinet.
Water Resources Minister Felipe Neri Rodrigues, has been demoted from sixth to ninth position, while Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has been promoted to the sixth rank from the earlier position of ninth.
Like Rane, Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral has also left a mark through his good performance with CM rewarding Cabral with the eighth position from the earlier 11th rank. Public Works Minister Deepak Pauskar has moved a step higher to 11th rank from the 12th position he held previously.
Urban Development Minister Milind Naik has been elevated from 10th to seventh position. Art & Culture Minister Govind Gaude has managed to retain his cabinet position at fifth. Deputy Chief Ministers Chandrakant Kavlekar and Manohar Ajgaonkar are also at their second and third positions respectively in the Pramod Sawant-led cabinet.
