Ministers rob from official bungalows: Churchill
BY GT REPORTER
PANJIM: Sometimes, serious issues tickle the funny bone of our legislators. And the whole House -- inclusive of the opposition -- enjoys the light hearted banter generated via such serious issues turned hilarious melodramas.
Yesterday's proceedings in the House -- related to a particular issue -- proved just how our Ministers 'Live life Kingsize' and thoroughly enjoy the criticism in the House with the opposition also joining in the laughter!
What then explains the rising cost of an air-conditioner of the same tonnage and similar make when installed in ministerial bungalows? How does one justify the highly inflated cost of steel spoons? And, do TV sets of a similar screen size and the same model widely differ in prices?
Serious though these issues might seem, but the House was treated to light hearted banter when the opposition turned the focus inwards -- inside the Ministers' official bungalows.
Hilarious scenes were on show when the PWD Minister charged one of his colleagues for transporting the items from his official bungalow to his residence. Of course, without naming him.
The House also witnessed the Speaker went on record to state that he had handed over a written inventory of items in his official bungalows while leaving the same.
But it was the opposition leader Manohar Parrikar who inadvertently tickled the funny bone of the legislators when he pointed out to the rising cost of air-conditioners, TV sets and stainless steel spoons (see BOX).
"Is there a set pattern for purchase of these items? What about old items?" was Parrikar's question directed at the PWD Minister Churchill Alemao.
However, the seriousness of the question was lost on the House when Alemao vowed to call the officers and question them on this aspect. Alemao's tone and his delivery of the answer threw the House, visitors galleries and the press gallery into peels of laughter.
At this stage, Speaker Pratap Singh Rane intervened to state that he had submitted a list of the inventory in his official CM's residence before leaving the same.
This prompted the opposition leader to quiz whether an inventory is indeed submitted by Ministers with a 'Separate Listing'.
Not to be cowed down by the prevailing humour in the House, Alemao compounded matters further for himself when he told the House yet again that he will call a meeting of officers to quiz them on this issue.
More laughter erupted from the House. Mapusa MLA Francis D'Souza pressed the matter further when he demanded to know whether such items are recovered.
"I know a Minister has taken certain items to his residence. I will ask him to get them back. I know the concerned Minister but I will not name him," remarked Alemao with a serious tone. That aggravated an already funny atmosphere in the House as all legislators burst out laughing.
Former Finance Minister Dayanand Narvekar was quick to rise on his feet. "I have written to the concerned Minister to take it back," he claimed.
What’s with the prices?
Price of air-conditioners (1.5 TR)
At PWD Minister's official bungalow: Rs 30,650
At Transport Minister's official bungalow: Rs 35,228
At another official bungalow: Rs 37,650
Price of a TV set(29 inches)
At CM's official residence: Rs 19,000
At PWD Minister's official residence: Rs 16,000
At another official bungalow: Rs 15,000
Market price: Rs 13, 500(according to Parrikar)
Price of a steel tea spoon
Price of purchase at official bungalow: Rs 66
Price in the open market: Rs 15 (according to Parrikar)
