Panaji: NCP legislator Nilkant Halarnkar
was today inducted in the Digamber Kamat Cabinet in place of
Fransisco Pacheco, who resigned after being embroiled in a
controversy over alleged suicide of a female friend.
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.
Pacheco, who held three portfolios, including tourism,
put in his papers on June 5. The 46-year-old is on the run
after being questioned by Crime Branch over the death of Nadia
Torrado (28).
Halarnkar, MLA from Thivim, 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 lawmaker 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).
PTI
