Parrikar reduces security cover as part of austerity drive

Goa's Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has decided to scale down his security as part of measures to control government expenses.

"The first austerity measure was through security. I have refused the huge, unnecessary security cover, which has saved the state Rs 10 lakh monthly," said Parrikar who is left with just one personal security officer.

The Parrikar government has also reduced security cover to ministers and legislators, which was an expensive affair during former Digambar Kamat government.

The Chief Minister also travels in economy class during his visits outside the state and stays in state-government run guest houses.

"When I have started, everyone will follow austerity," he said when asked whether officers would be asked to fly by economy class ticket in the airplane.

Parrikar said he had inherited a financial liability of Rs 800-900 crore, of which he has already cleared Rs 650 crore through bills due in various departments.

"They had left a huge financial liability but I have kept the financial health in pink," the Chief Minister added.

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