Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday ruled out an independent probe into the ketamine manufacturing unit unearthed in Pissurlem industrial estate by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
“The raid was entirely carried out by the DRI, and it was a multi-State operation. So I cannot comment on things which are not in my jurisdiction,” Mr. Parrikar said at his first press conference after over three months.
He declined to comment further on the DRI raid on the manufacturing unit, which the Congress alleged, was operated by a Bharatiya Janata Party office-bearer. “You can ask the agency because we have no information about it.”
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In a three-day operation last week, the DRI busted an international drug syndicate, seizing a large quantity of ketamine and raw material in Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, and arrested 10 people, including three foreigners.
Mr. Parrikar said infrastructure, education, and the mining crisis are some of the priorities for him on return. The government has decided to convene the monsoon session of the Assembly from July 19. The session, which will go on till August 3, will pass the budget for 2018-19.
Mr. Parrikar, in March, had tabled the budget and taken a vote on account for four months of 2018-19 by flying down to Goa from Lilavati hospital, Mumbai.
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President Ramnath Kovind will visit Goa on July 7-8 to attend the convocation of Goa University. The State will hold a reception for the President on July 8, he said.
Goa, Hawaii to sign MoU
Hawaii in the U.S. and Goa will soon sign a memorandum of understanding, for which the State Cabinet on Monday granted approval.
He said Tulsi Gabbarrd, a U.S. democratic representative from the Pacific Island State, has taken a keen interest in Indian culture. “The Congresswoman has an attraction for the Indian culture. She had moved a proposal and the Governor had supported it.” “The sister-state relationship could cover exchanges in the field of culture, education, and tourism,” the CM said.