No new faces, but may reshuffle portfolios: Goa CM

It’s been a journey of learning and self-initiative for chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar who has just completed six months in office. In an interview with TOI, Parsekar made it clear that he would not induct any new faces in the cabinet but after an assessment of the ministers’ performance he might at the most go for reshuffle of portfolios. Speaking his heart out, Parsekar said that he would love to lead the BJP to the next assembly elections scheduled in 2017.
TOI: You have completed six months in office. Lots of things were incomplete when you took over from your predecessor, now defence minister Manohar Parrikar. How has your journey been so far as the chief minister and do you feel that government is heading in the right direction?
Parsekar: I am satisfied with my performance of last six months. It so happened that I was required to take over as chief minister without much planning. I had to give up four portfolios I was holding as my predecessor had 17 portfolios. I had to shoulder all those. It so happened that I had to take all new departments. Except for the education portfolio which I was used to. All other departments were new for me and in most of the departments I had to start from zero. I had a very tough time in the beginning and every day I was compared with my predecessor.
TOI: Have you managed to take right and timely decisions?
Parsekar: I don’t take immediate decisions on any issue. I think over its pros and cons and then, if possible, I open the topic among my colleagues or whoever I feel is an expert in that area and then take a decision.
TOI: Given that you held fewer portfolios prior to becoming CM, have you felt hindered by lack of information now that you hold sway over many more portfolios?
Parsekar: I did not have any problem as such. I believed that for a successful chief minister it is not required that you need to know each and everything. Instead you should know to utilize the services of the junior and senior scale officers and the IAS officers in particular. You assign them the task and fix the responsibility. I have a very good team of officers and I have faith in them. After completion of six months I do not find any problem or any big challenges as regards to any of the portfolios.
TOI: It is said that the bureaucracy is divided between you and Parrikar. Have you felt at any stage that you had any problem in getting people to work because they were listening more to Parrikar and not to you?
Parsekar: I don’t believe that Parrikar is dictating any directives to any of the officers.
In the beginning some of my ministers and MLAs were worried about how Parsekar will manage in the absence of Parrikar and I had clarified then and there that it is the responsibility of each minister and corporation chairman to shoulder responsibility of their job. Therefore, in the beginning some of my ministers, MLAs, chairpersons used to wait for Saturdays to come. It could be because of their good relations also. He was our chief minister till yesterday, today he is in Delhi. Most of the time MLAs and ministers were also inquiring with me when Bhai will come but I did not feel offended or anything because Parrikar is not just my friend he was my guide also. My colleagues are now used to me also.
TOI: There is a demand in the BJP that younger MLAs be inducted in the cabinet, some want senior ministers who are non-performing be dropped from the cabinet. What do you have to say on it?
Parsekar: Formation of cabinet is certainly the prerogative of the chief minister but I have been a party worker, I have come from the grassroots-level and I have experienced the feeling of party workers at every stage. It is just not the opinion of the party but I also personally feel that those who are seniors need to be considered when you are forming the cabinet. If seniors are not accommodated in the cabinet then it sends a wrong message in their constituency.
TOI: Later on after one year will you reassess the performance of your ministers?
Parsekar: Of course, that is always there but I feel changing the portfolio is ok but a person is included in cabinet and he is dropped and somebody else is inducted for a person who is inducted it is feather in the cap but for the person who is dropped it is a setback for him and it reflects on his career also, that would be the last thing I would do unless there is a very genuine reason for it.
TOI: As six months are over, what would be the priorities of your government?
Parsekar: My top priority is to generate jobs in Goa. Most of the youth are either unemployed or underemployed. I would love to develop a situation where they get jobs that will fetch them good emoluments.
TOI: A lot of schemes were launched by the government soon after coming to power. Is there any plan to review those schemes as people have given up working due to those schemes and this will create a social problem in the long run?
Parsekar: No, first, social security scheme is for senior citizens (DSS), after the age of 60 they are getting pension and the widows who need help. Ladli Laxmi scheme is to give honour to the girl child so that parents do not feel that she is burden over the family. As regards to Griha Aadhar scheme, it was declared and formulated when there was high inflation. Now the situation is improving I can say. There is no hue and cry over price rise and inflation. I would like to link that scheme with some social responsibility, like swachh bharat abhiyan. The beneficiaries too have a responsibility towards society and they will be given tasks to do to earn from the scheme.
TOI: Successive governments talk about creating employment opportunities but they are not able to do it. How will you make a difference?
Parsekar: I feel one thing is that investment promotion policy is moving ahead and we have formed investment promotion board also and we have cleared 38 projects which will fetch investment of over Rs 21,130 crore and would create employment of 6,500 slots. Besides this, I am seriously working on two IT projects, electronic city at Tuem and IT park at Chimbel. Particularly about Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) at Tuem people from non-matriculate to graduate would be accommodated. I feel road, water supply, power all these amenities would be provided on sites in next five to six months. On May 23, we are putting IT policy in the public domain, we are inviting investors at the meet. I believe 70 companies will come for the workshop, Wipro (IT Company) will also come to Goa.
TOI: When do you think that mining will start in Goa?
Parsekar: It has been my experience, when I have planned sincerely, god attends to me at the right time. I think the positive initiatives that have happened during the last six months are far more than the previous two years. Of course it was the efforts of my predecessor but I was lucky to reap the benefits. Lot many things have happened and mining will start after the off season in October.
TOI: Will you be the face for BJP for 2017 elections as a chief ministerial candidate?
Parsekar: I would love to be. Party has given me opportunity to become the chief minister. I did not put my claims. I did not ask any of our MLAs to support me. I did not go to the high command also. In these circumstances, I think I should perform and properly deliver and during the next election I feel I should repay the party by bringing it to back power. If I get majority then I would be satisfied and after getting majority, the party may decide a leader.