Panaji: Goa’s former Deputy Chief minister and MGP MLA Sudin Dhavalikar has demanded that the state government should replace Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho from the GST council after his spat with Tamil Nadu’s finance minister.
Godinho, who is state transport minister and Tamil Nadu’s Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan had clashed on the issue of compensation to the states during the 43rd GST council meeting held on May 28.
“Godinho was appointed on GST council when then chief minister Manohar Parrikar was sick. He still continues to represent Goa on the council,” Dhavalikar told reporters.
“When State Finance portfolio is with the Chief minister, he should be representing the state on the GST council,” he said.
Dhavalikar said that Godinho by indulging in the verbal spat with Rajan who is “highly qualified person” has created awkaward situation for the state of Goa.
Dhavalikar also lamented the efforts of State government to cover up its worsening financial situation.
He said that while articles in favour of the State government were released on May 30, which is Goa Statehood Day, claiming that the financial situation of the state is improving, two days before that, Godinho had pleaded in the GST council that state is going through financial crisis.
He had urged the GST council to release the compensation in advance which would held the state to tide over the financial crisis.
“The minister representing Goa on the council has shown desperation by asking for early release of the money,” he said.
“ If financial condition of the state is improving than why do we have to ask for the early release of the money?,” he questioned.
