PANJIM: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded transparency within the State government by seeking a report card of all the ministers. At a press conference on Monday, NCP Goa chief spokesman Trajano D’Mello said the voters have the right to know who are the best and worst performing ministers in the cabinet.
He was reacting to Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement last weekend that the mid-term review exercise was an internal assessment which was not meant for the public.
“His statement is a clear admission that the government has failed on all fronts. It is the same attitude a child has when he or she fails in an exam and gets ashamed to show the report card to his parents,” he said, arguing that the government has no right to keep the report card under wraps.
“This very party that came to power on the promise of transparency is working day and night to cover its sins of omission and commission,” he said, alleging that among the worst performing ministers was Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar.
Commenting on the recent development where the tourism department has decided not to foot the electricity bills of religious places, which have been maintained by the department as a part of tourism related projects, he said, “The decision gives a clear indication that the minds of the rulers of this government, in particular the tourism minister, have been darkened and that they have reached an extent of trying to darken religious places. The corruption by this government has sent shivers into the ruling members which puts them into desperation to the point of abandoning the religious places.”
Asked about the appointment of the NCP State unit President, the spokesperson assured finalizing the name in the next few days. Several NCP members had, in April resigned protesting the appointment of Advocate Suhas Volvoikar as the new party chief. The resignation had forced the high command to keep the appointment on hold so as to review the decision.
