Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar hit back at the Congress’ allegation that the Goa government had adopted a laid back attitude in approaching the Supreme Court (SC) to either challenge the highway liquor ban order or seek relief to affected traders.
“They (Congress) should not have approached the SC challenging my appointment as CM. They got me into the administrative aspects of my government up to (March) 24, and I had no time after that. These are not casual matters,” he said responding to media queries on the Congress allegations.
Congress had challenged Governor Dr Mridula Sinha’s decision appointing Parrikar as CM and sought quashing of the order and a stay on the swearing-in. The bench refused a stay and ordered a floor test.
When it was pointed out that the government had time to approach the SC as the order was delivered prior to the code of conduct being announced by the Election Commission of India on January 4, Parrikar stated, “There was no government. The election code makes many governments a lame duck. I don’t think a different situation would have arisen by rushing into filing a petition. Some states have brought special position even by not challenging the order. Goa government will approach (the SC) with proper reasoning, proper examination, proper record and documentation. The fresh order with relaxation will nonetheless help around 1000 outlets from facing the axe,” he added.
Stating that Porvorim is one such place, he said, “While we traditionally call some areas as urban, it is not. Porvorim is still a village panchayat. Therefore the rule of 220 metres will apply in this area. Similarly in many places, the highways pass through village panchayats. I have asked to check the survey. Here too, many outlets will be saved.”
