TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Art and Culture minister Dayanand Mandrekar, Friday admitted to procedural lapses in the constitution of the General Council and Executive Board of the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, after Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai raised a hue and cry over alleged usurping of powers by its Chairman leading to illegal administrative decisions and consequent financial irregularities.
The Fatorda MLA who raised a question on the floor of the House day drew the attention of the minister to the constitution of the governing council and executive board on the same day in violation of the required procedures.
While Mandrekar took pot shots at the previous minister for art and culture in the Congress government for a lot more mess in the functioning of the Ravindra Bhavan, at Margao, Sardesai sought to know what action the government proposes against the present illegalities.
He demanded constitution of an inquiry committee, suspension of the present body and scrapping of all the decisions from retrospective effect and recovery of expenditure illegally made so far. Sardesai also took objection to the appointment of two daily wage staff without approval of the government.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar however intervened saying, “Post facto approval can be given by the minister.”
Parrikar said this after Mandrekar admitted that there may have been some procedural lapses which he is empowered to sort out. He said, “As far as the constitution of the general council and executive board there were no complaints or objections from any of the members.”
“In fact they are meeting regularly and taking important decisions,” he said adding that there was no question of changing the constitution of the Ravindra Bhavan’s general council and executive board.
