PANJIM: The State government has assured the High Court of Bombay at Goa that appointment of staff for former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane will not be made until next hearing into a petition challenging its notification according Lifetime Cabinet Status to the veteran politician.
Advocate General Devidas Pangam made an oral submission before the Division Bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice R N Laddha that the staff for Rane will not be appointed or expenditure incurred on his Lifetime Cabinet Status till the next hearing on June 21.
The High Court is hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Advocate Aires Rodrigues challenging Cabinet status to Rane. The Congress leader in his reply affidavit let it to the wisdom of the Court to decide the legality of government’s notification according him the status.
The 83-year-old has said that he did not ask for any such honour or privilege from Goa government and it was bestowed upon him by the State in its own discretion and wisdom. Rane also urged the High Court to decide the legality of the Lifetime Cabinet Status assuring he will accept whatever decision it takes with all humility.
The Goa government, on the other hand, submitted to the High Court that by virtue of being conferred Lifetime Cabinet Status, Rane is neither appointed as a Minister nor is discharging any functions as a Minister.
