Politics

RTI reveals senior officer raised queries about staff being assigned to PratapSingh Rane

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2022

Secretary to Chief Minister Ajit Roy IAS had raised queries over the staff proposed to be allotted to Pratapsingh Rane by virtue of him having been accorded Lifetime Cabinet status. This has been revealed in the information obtained under the Right to Information Act by Adv. Aires Rodrigues from the General Administration Department at the Secretariat.

When the proposal to create 18 posts as staff for Pratapsingh Rane was placed before him on 6th April, Ajit Roy in his noting advised the General Administration Department to examine the requirement of personal staff for Pratapsingh Rane to whom no specific work or task had been assigned. But Ajit Roy was overruled by other officials including the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister.

As per the RTI documents, within days of the notification bestowing on him lifetime cabinet status, Pratapsingh Rane on 20th January sent his chosen list of 17 staff he wanted appointed from 7th January which was the day that notification of lifetime cabinet status was issued.

Pratapsingh Rane later on 14th March sent a revised list dropping former Health Director Dr. Rajananda Desai who he had earlier proposed as one of his Officer on Special Duty.

The file notings also reveal that the file despite having wide financial ramifications was processed in a tearing hurry without even seeking the opinion of the Law department and clearance from the Finance department.

The order creating those 18 posts as staff for Pratapsingh Rane with an annual financial implication of approximately 115 lakhs was issued on 22nd April. The order states that the posts shall be created from 7th January 2022 with Pratapsingh Rane entitled to two Officers on Special duty , one Advisor, one Under Secretary, two Private Secretaries, a Personal Assistant, three Junior Assistants , two Computer-cum- telephone operators, two drivers and four Multi Tasking staff. The Goa cabinet gave its post-facto nod on 26th April.

The Bombay High Court at Goa on April 25th admitted the petition filed by Adv. Aires Rodrigues challenging that Lifetime cabinet status given to Pratapsingh Rane and is now scheduled to further hear the matter on May 2nd on interim relief.

Politics

NDA’s Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu to visit Goa on Thursday

Published

1 year ago

July 13, 2022

Priyanka Shet

Panaji: NDA’s Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu will be visiting Goa on Thursday (tomorrow), BJP Goa President Sadanand Tanavade said. Tanavade told reporters on Wednesday that Murmu would be arriving in Goa on Thursday morning and will be in the state till afternoon.

He said that during the visit, she would be meeting MLAs and MPs of BJP and its supporting parties seeking their support for her candidature. Sources stated that besides BJP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party with its two MLAs and three Independents will be supporting the candidature of Murmu. (GoaNewsHub)

Politics

BJP’s 40-crore offer: AAP asks why Congress had not acted against the BJP

Published

1 year ago

July 12, 2022

Priyanka Shet

Aam Aadmi Party Vice President Ad. Surel Tilve on Tuesday stated that the recent “rumoured” defection drama is another proof that the Congress is the BJP’s B-team. Taking a shot at former Goa Congress Chief Girish Chodankar’s claim that Congress party MLAs were offered Rs 40 crore to join the BJP, Tilve questioned why Congress had not taken any action against the BJP?

AAP Vice President Valmiki Naik said that the defection is currently delayed because national leaders and local leaders are negotiating for the biggest piece of the pie.

Naik said, “Despite the fact that assembly sessions have already begun; the Congress has failed to choose an opposition leader. This is the most shameful episode in the history of Goa’s politics”.

Naik further said, “The assembly session was a timely opportunity to discuss problems of the common people and to criticize the BJP government for their failure as a united opposition. Sadly, the biggest opposition party is busy with its selfish agenda, ignoring the issues of the people”.

AAP Vice President Sandesh Telekar said Margao MLA and Congress Senior Leader Digambar Kamat should come forward and clear the air about whether or not he was involved in a conspiracy game alleged by his own party. (GoaNewsHub)

Politics

Speaker admits Disqualification petition against Congress MLAs

Published

1 year ago

July 12, 2022

Priyanka Shet

Panaji: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Tuesday said that he has admitted the Disqualification Petition filed by Congress party against its own two MLAs. Tawadkar told reporters that he has received two Disqualification Petitions filed by Congress party against Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo and Congress MLA Digambar Kamat.

He said that Lobo continues to be Leader of Opposition as of now, as the Congress Legislature Party is yet to inform about the new name.

Tawadkar said Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar had filed the Disqualification Petitions against two MLAs on Monday. “I was not available yesterday, so I met the petitioners (of disqualification petition) today,” he said.

The Speaker said that the petition would be taken for consideration after the current Session of Legislative Assembly gets over.

The Congress party on Sunday had announced the action against two of its MLAs – Lobo and Kamat – following the news of rebellion in the Congress Legislature Party. Party’s Goa Desk incharge Dinesh Gundu Rao had accused both the leaders of being involved in antiparty activities.

Patkar had told reporters on Monday that both the MLAs should be disqualified as they have voluntarily given up primary membership of the party by indulging in antiparty activities. (GoaNewsHub)