After the swearing in ceremony of his Ministers in March last year, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had stated that additional portfolios would be allocated to them in six months. But this much overdue portfolio reshuffle may not suffice. What we need is a cabinet overhaul with all the non-performing Ministers including Alina Saldanha axed. Time is running out. We have heard enough of rhetoric, we now need Ministers who will give us time bound result oriented action. Those current Ministers who have shown visible signs of corruption should also be mercilessly chopped. It is better to stem the rot and remove the bad portion else, the entire basket will get rotten.
The non starter Ministers who have not delivered in the last 19 months will not perform even if given the whole term. They need to be consigned to the racks to make room for some other ruling MLAs who show apparent signs of being potential performers. The Chief Minister should also consider entrusting Deputy Chief Minster Francis D’Souza, a bigger role by possibly giving him the portfolios of Home and Education. While the Chief Minister contemplates the cabinet reshuffle he has to also ensure the initiation of a true Parivartan by appointing an honest, competent and sincere Advocate General. Senior Counsel Saresh Lotlikar may be an ideal choice. This would help the Chief Minister usher a breath of fresh air in the Advocate General’s office which currently under Atmaram Nadkarni, who has continued the nauseating legacy of Subodh Kantak, has sadly become a major embarrassment and a huge financial burden to the tax payer. Manohar Parrikar will have no qualms over appointing Mr. Saresh Lotlikar who is known to be close to the Chief Minister. If my sources are right, Mr. Manohar Parrikar has rightly already been seeking from Saresh Lotlikar a second opinion on various legal issues. Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar's recent high handed attempt to gag and muzzle his Ministers and MLAs is a matter of concern. Freedom of Speech and expression are fundamental to the success of our democracy. Constructive criticism is required, otherwise the government will not realize where it is faltering. Mr. Chief Minister, please give your MLAs and Ministers the freedom to speak. Do not shackle them. We understand your predicament but even the warden at the Bondla zoo finds it difficult to tame the tiger and the lion. By the way, we know who the tiger is. Does Manohar Parrikar also have a lion to deal with? Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
