Handling the ongoing criss, triggered by a temporary ban on mining activity, has been difficult and the absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is currently undergoing treatment in the US, has been like the absence of a father in a household, Goa's Art and Culture Minister Govind Gawde has said.
"It is open secret that the absence of the Chief Minister is being felt. It is obvious, until there is no father in the house, decision taking is different," Gawde told reporters here.
Parrikar was rushed to a New York-based health facility in March for advanced treatment of a pancreas-related ailment. He has been under treatment from February 15 in hospitals in Goa and Mumbai, even as there has been no official confirmation of the Chief Minister's return to Goa. Gawde also said, that the handling of the Supreme Court-enforced mining ban in absence of the Chief Minister has also been difficult. "Mining dependant issue is a tricky issue. We should start depending on tourism and culture promotion," lobo said.
Mining was banned in Goa from March 15 following a Supreme Court order, which directed the state government to issue fresh mining leases, while scrapping the existing and operational 88 mining leases.
In the Chief Minister's absence, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance government has been experiencing serial bickering among minister, with the lawmakers even taking to washing dirty political linen in public, causing embarassment to the ruling BJP and allied parties. Earlier this week, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane threatened to launch a street protest against a electricity fare hike, resulting in him trading charges with Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar.