Panaji: The Congress in Goa on Thursday mockingly advised Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, whose official tour to the US, along with four family members, has sparked a controversy, to at least call on Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in hospital during his visit.
“Since Mr. Ajgaonkar has gone on a junket to the US with family members along with some tourism ministry officials, he should at least call on our ailing Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and enquire after his health, considering that no one in Goa has been formally informed about the state of health of our Chief Minister,” Congress spokesperson Urfan Mulla said at a press conference at the party headquarters on Thursday.
Another Congress spokesperson Amarnath Panjikar said it was unfair that the minister travels to the US with family members, at a time when the state was reeling under a financial crisis, especially with the mining industry non-functional following directives from the Supreme Court since March.
“The government should get reimbursement for the cost incurred on the travel and stay of the family members, once the minister returns,” Mr. Panjikar said.
The State Tourism Ministry has said that the Minister is in the US to participate in tourism promotion road shows.
Senior Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party(MGP) leader and Public Works Development minister Sudin Dhavalikar recently rushed to the rescue of his ministerial colleague and said that Mr. Ajgaonkar should pay for the cost incurred on the travel and stay of his relatives for the US trip.
“There is nothing wrong with family travelling on such trips, as long as state funds are not used. The tourism department can recover the amount from the minister,” Mr. Dhavalikar responded to media reports recently.
Mr. Ajgaonkar is one of the three MLAs of MGP, an alliance partner of BJP-led coalition in the State.
