Porvorim (Goa): Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has banned legislators including Ministers from holding governmental meetings in their personal residential premise or MLA offices from henceforth.

Parrikar told House that the legislators can  call for the meeting of the government officers either in the Collectorate or in the concern departmental headquarters.

The move is been strongly opposed by the Congress party, who called it ‘dictatorship’ by the BJP-led coalition government.

“I have issued a circular, banning holding of departmental meetings in the personal residence or office of the MLA. They cannot call the officers to their residence. If MLAs have some work or people issues, then the same should be discussed in the concern department or Collectorate building,” he said.

“I have seen, MLAs calling government officers from various departments like PWD, electricity, to their residence and have meetings. This is not acceptable anymore,” Parrikar said.

“Officers are then humiliated, abused…that is different,” he said.

“what is important is that in their absence from concern offices, people are put to hardship,” chief minister stated.

The issue was raised by Congress MLA Ravi Naik, who pointed out before the House that PWD Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar has directed his officers not to visit MLA residence or office to hold meetings. He said the move is basically to harass the opposition.

Team TNV