Nilkanth Halarnkar sworn in as new minister
PTI, PANAJI | 08 June 2010 19:54 IST
Nilkanth Halarnkar with CM Digambar Kamat
Nationalist Congress Party legislator Nilkant Halarnkar was today evening inducted in the Digamber Kamat Cabinet in place of Mickky Pacheco, who resigned after being embroiled in a controversy over alleged suicide of a female friend.
Incidentally, Kamat completed three years of his term today. Mickky is the third minister being dropped from the cabinet till date.
Earlier, Pandurang Madkaikar and Dayanand Narvekar were dropped.
Halarnkar was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor S S Sidhu at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan this evening. Chief Minister Digamber Kamat and his cabinet colleagues were present for the function.
Halarnkar's portfolio will be announced later.
Mickky, who held three portfolios, including tourism, put in his papers on June 5. The 46-year-old is still on the run after being questioned by Crime Branch over the death of Nadia Torreado (28).
Tivim MLA Halarnkar currently heads the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA). He was earlier inducted as Parliamentary Secretary, but had to step down after the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court ruled against having such a post.
The first-time minister is among the three-MLA strong NCP that is supporting the Congress-led Government. The Sharad Pawar-led party has been given two ministerial berths as part of its pact with the Congress.
In 40-member House, Congress has 18 MLAs followed by BJP (14), NCP (3), Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Independents (2 each) and United Goans Democratic Party (1).
One more "VAATO" settled to continue for some time .... Mr. Kamat please do some fundamental work and stop lobbying all industrialists.