GOA: PARRIKAR RETURNS
After three months’ treatment in the US, a visibly fatigued CM is back. An avalanche of issues awaits him
Goa Revolution Day this June 18 saw Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar take the stage in Panaji after three months’ treatment for pancreatic cancer in the US. On his return three days earlier, he typically opted to take a commercial flight from Mumbai rather than the charter arranged for him. He arrived at Goa’s Dabolim airport, as casual as before, in his signature bush shirt and trousers.
And before returning to his curtailed routine, the CM stopped for prayers at his family deity, Devki Krishna, in Panaji. Parrikar is still not fully okay, though, the fatigue from dealing with his condition is evident. “I will work for 6 to 7 hours daily with some rest. I won’t take invitations for public functions,” he told BJP workers in Panaji. It was a big shift for a leader known for his 14-hour workdays.
Back at work, Parrikar reviewed the progress of infrastructure projects, particularly the ongoing expansion of the national highway and construction of bridges on the Mandovi and Zuari rivers. It is the government’s biggest project, and one that the BJP hopes to showcase before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. (Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said in the beginning of June that it would be completed by next March, but it has been mired in delays.)
Goa BJP chief Vinay Tendulkar says the party will not burden Parrikar. But given that he cannot put in the hours, there have been voices suggesting the CM ought to hand over two key, taxing portfolios—home and finance— to a trusted colleague.
Meanwhile, the Congress is prepping to trip the state government on the unemployment and drug addiction issues. Congress leader Luizinho Faleiro says there are 122,000 unemployed youth in the state. “The government announced unemployment allowance to the youth, but it hasn’t happened.” He alleges that the state’s young people are either migrating or taking to drugs.
Meanwhile, a whole host of issues await Parrikar. Like the Union environment ministry’s decision to permit construction within 50 metres of the high tide zone. Capt. Viriato Fernandes of the NGO Goencho Avaaz, says the move will destroy fishermen’s livelihoods in some 3,200 coastal villages across the country.
Besides this, the families of those impacted by the Supreme Courtordered ban on mining since March 16, launched demonstrations at four locations in Goa, demanding a solution. Parrikar’s reassurances aside, the continuing embargo is affecting the livelihood of 200,000 people dependent on the mines.
THE CM’S HEALTH ISSUES HAVE LED TO SUGGESTIONS THAT HE GIVE UP KEY PORTFOLIOS