One wonders whether Digambar Kamat is losing his marbles. In an interview to HCN on the eve of his completing a year in office Chief Minister claimed that the two parliamentary secretaries were not enjoying cabinet status but were only Ministers of State. Absolutely false. The orders appointing them clearly state that they enjoy the rank and status of a cabinet minister. Justifying the appointment of Mr. Francis Silveira as parliamentary secretary the CM says that it was he being a third time MLA. If that was the criteria what about the other parliamentary secretary Mr. Nilkanth Harlankar who is a first time MLA. So after all the appointments were not to assist the overburdened and very busy CM as earlier claimed.
Laying the foundation at Vasco of the 256 units by the Goa Rehabilitation Board the Chief Minister stated that although Goa was observing state mourning in memory of late MLA Prof Gurudas Gawas the function was being held as the project was for the common man. Aren't all government projects supposed to be for the benefit of the Aam Aadmi? What the Chief Minister did not tell the people was that his predecessor Mr. Pratapsingh Rane had two and half years ago laid a foundation stone for the same project at the same site. Chief Minister also claimed that his government had scrapped the Regional Plan and SEZ's. The Regional plan is revoked only on paper. The Goa government is a mere spectator to the rampant backdoor land use violations across the State by the land sharks and the builder lobby of which Mr. Digambar Kamat is an integral part. Mr. Chief Minister, the SEZ's which were proposed by former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane are far from scrapped. Infact the Union Commerce Secretary Mr. G.K.Pillai has publicly made known that the Goa Government has not taken any steps to close down SEZ's. Mr. Digambar Kamat, we all know you are a compromise Chief Minister working overtime on the balancing act. You cannot administer the State as you are pre-occupied safeguarding your chair. But please do not think you can take Goa's Aam Aadmi for a ride. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar
