Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, arrived on Thursday morning within hours of being discharged from Lilavati hospital, Mumbai, and tabled the State’s budget for 2018-19 in the afternoon.
A frail-looking Mr. Parrikar spoke for around eight minutes, tabled the budget, and thanked the people of Goa for their wishes and prayers for his recovery.
Mr. Parrikar, who was accompanied by his son Utpal, was greeted by top officials, Ministers and ruling MLAs at the entrance of the Assembly complex in the afternoon.
In his brief speech, Mr. Parrikar said, “I thank everyone who wished for my speedy recovery through messages, letters and prayers at various temples, churches, and mosques. I am overwhelmed by the over pouring of your love and affection. It fortifies my conviction that Goa and Goans are my extended family. It is your wishes and prayers which have helped me to recover speedily and return to Goa”.
“For complete recovery, I have been advised by the doctors some precautions in the immediate short term. During this period, my interaction with the public will be limited. However, I will be discharging my regular duties and obligations as the Chief Minister of the State,” Mr. Parrikar said.
Mr. Parrikar tabled a budget with a gross expenditure of ₹17,123.28 crore with an uncovered fiscal deficit of ₹763.68 crore. No new taxes or revenue mobilisation initiatives were announced in the budget which has a focus on generating employment in the industry and information & technology sectors.
The Chief Minister did not read out the customary budget speech, informing the Speaker that he could not write the speech on account of his health.
Mr. Parrikar was on February 15 admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai, after he complained of stomach pain. He was later diagnosed for a pancreas-related ailment.
Mr. Parrikar’s sudden decision to present the Budget today came as a surprise even to his cabinet colleagues and legislators. The police too had to rush in to make last-minute security arrangements.
In a brief Cabinet meeting, Mr. Parrikar thanked the ministers from coalition parties in his government for their concern. Secretary for Finance Daulat Havildar told The Hindu that the Chief Minster has directed the officials to send files to his residence. He will hold his next Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “We are happy to have him back. He has told us that the next cabinet meeting will be convened on coming Wednesday,” Minister for Power Pandurang Madkaikar said.
Opposition leader Chandrakant Kavlekar also said that the Assembly was glad to have Mr. Parrikar back. “We are glad to see him and hope he recovers fully,” Mr. Kavlekar said.
While entering and exiting the Assembly complex, Mr. Parrikar waved at the cordoned-off media. In reply to a question on his health, Mr. Parrikar said, “Nothing is wrong with me.”
