PANJIM: The seven-month long illness of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has taken a toll on some major policy decisions, bringing the administration to a near standstill. From August 10, a major vacuum has been created with the Chief Minister remaining hospitalized and other hectic political activities taking precedence.
While employment creation in the government sector has ground to a halt since January, except for the Health sector and some minor contractual appointments, new initiatives which were expected to take shape after the State Budget 2018-19, are yet to be announced. A solution to the crucial mining crisis seems to have been forgotten with Parrikar’s absence, the much awaited employment and casino policies, which were supposed to be out by August end, are also in limbo.
Moreover, the last cabinet meeting took place in July, when the council of Ministers approved the revamped IT policy and other amendments that were supposed to come up during the Monsoon Session of the State Assembly.
But those in government won’t admit the administration has been affected. “There is no administration collapse. Every Minister is handling his responsibility. Today’s world is a technology driven. The files can be cleared on email. Even when I am abroad, if there is any urgent file, I clear it on email,” Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, hinting that Parrikar is clearing files through e-mails.
Parrikar during his three-month long USA visit from March-June, was in
constant touch with his officials including his Principal Secretary P Krishnamurthy and Chief Secretary IAS Dharmendra Sharma. A Cabinet Advisory Committee (CAC) of three Ministers – Francis D’Souza (BJP), Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar (MGP) and Vijai Sardesai (GFP) – was constituted to advise the government on administration.
However, this time, Parrikar, who was first in USA and then to Lilavati in Mumbai and now at AIIMS in Delhi for medical treatment, has failed to constitute CAC. “Chief Minister is in touch with us,” the Chief Secretary said refusing to comment anything in detail.
The opposition, on the other hand, claims that there is complete administrative collapse and no works –plan and non-plan – are been undertaken in their constituencies for past six-seven months. “Where is the government? Where is the question of administration in the absence of the Chief Minister? No works are being done. Not just in opposition but even in the constituencies ruled by ruling no work is being done. Administration has gone to sleep,” Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar said.
