Goa minister says he was given ‘chillar’ portfolios, but is confident he won’t be dropped from Cabinet

“I have been a faithful soldier of the party for the past 25-30 years. I have worked at various posts in the party — from a booth member to mandal president. I started my career as a panch member, then became a member of zilla panchayat and then an MLA,” the MLA from Sanguem constituency said.

On rumours that he may be appointed Speaker of the Assembly in case of a reshuffle, he said, “If I was appointed Speaker, how would the organisation benefit? I may be a junior minister, but I have the capacity to perform. I have been working tirelessly. If such a person is given an ornamental position, wouldn’t it be a loss for the party?”

Phal Dessai said he has worked on several fronts for the party, including in the organisation and election campaigns in other states. “This is the first time I was made a minister. I have not got any lucrative portfolios. Even though I was given chillar portfolios, you can see that I have performed in all the portfolios, including river navigation, social welfare, archives and archaeology,” he said.

“I do not think I will be dropped from the Cabinet as a reward for working for the organisation. I am confident that I will not be removed from the Cabinet,” he added.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant dropped former Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude from the Cabinet on June 18, nearly three weeks after Gaude alleged corruption in the Department of Tribal Welfare, a portfolio held by Sawant.

The controversy erupted when Gaude made a jibe at the functioning of the Tribal Welfare Ministry at a Prerna Divas event on May 25. In his speech, Gaude had said, “A large amount of taxpayers’ money is allotted to the Tribal Welfare Department. If it is unable to organise this programme efficiently, then it shows a lack of control over the administration. In my opinion, the administration has weakened today. The files of contractors are handled in the Shram Shakti Bhavan (a government block) building on the sly. Something is taken from them, and then they are asked to submit their files.”

Gaude’s ouster from the Cabinet has triggered speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle in the coastal state. Last week, Sawant said a reshuffle was not on the cards “as of now”.