PANJIM: Despite Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar being ill for several months and having not attended a single public function in recent months, Department of Information and Publicity has named the CM as chief guest for the National Press Day, function to be held on November 16, at 11 am, at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panjim.
Not only has the CM been named as chief guest, the department has listed his arrival at 11 am and said that he will address the function at 12.35 pm.
When contacted Director of Information Gurudas Pilarnkar said approvals were taken before he took charge.
“I have taken charge just last week and these cards printing and approvals were taken before that,” he told Herald. He added, “As far as I know, I am told CM will attend the function.”
Parrikar, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer, was discharged from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on October 14 and since then has been recuperating at his private residence in Dona Paula.
For the last two days there had been speculation that the CM’s condition had worsened and the invite by DI has led to more speculation.
