Panaji (Goa): Continuing to cross sword against Election Commission of India, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has blocked the payment of Rs 16.86 crore as claimed by the body as an expenditure towards the vehicles.

These vehicles were used during the recently held State legislative assembly election. These vehicles were hired besides employing the vehicles from various government departments.

Electoral office at Goa has submitted a bill of Rs 16.86 crore to State government which has been blocked by Parrikar.

Sources stated that Parrikar has made a remark on the file asking why so much expenditure has been incurred. He has also recommended that a panel of chartered accountant should audit the whopping bill.

Going by the election commission’s bill amounts to Rs 50 lakh per constituency for 15 days period.

Parrikar has been reprimanded in past by the election commission for his reported remarks on advising voters to accept bribe. Parrikar had then claimed that he was misquoted.

The chief minister has asked the election commission to give name of the person who had translated his Konkani speech into English. Parrikar has said he wants to cross examine the translator.

Team TNV