Team Herald
PANJIM: The last word on the Fisheries Director Shamila Monteiro suspension recommendation case, will be spoken by the Chief Minister, who has clearly stated that a decision will be based on facts and merit and nothing else.
Speaking to Herald, Chief Minister Parrikar said, “The file has not come to me. I will take the final decision based on the file and studying the issue. I will apply my mind and take a just and judicious decision.”
It is learnt that the Chief Minister has communicated the same to TCP Minister and the Goa Forward President Vijai Sardesai, since the Fisheries Minister Vinod Palyekar is from the Goa Forward.
While the Fisheries Minister is pushing for the Director’s suspension, the clean and no nonsense reputation of the Fisheries Director is working in her favour.
It is also clear by now that the Fisheries Minister’s assumption that the suspension is bound to happen as a matter of course, is totally misplaced. The Fisheries Minister is pushing for her suspension over the alleged irregularities in distribution of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards to the fishermen. He has also ordered the department to hold back the payment of the agency which was awarded the contract to supply RFID cards to the fishermen, who are usually employed on the trawlers. However, all facts, including the minister’s allegations, will be examined by the Chief Minister before a final decision is made either way.
