Kottayam: Inaugurating a function organized by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai said he received a message from the officials in the district saying it is inappropriate on his part to attend the program.
“A message was received at the Goa Raj Bhavan on (August 5) saying it is inappropriate to attend the function,” Pillai said August 6 at the function held in memory of Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, who died on July 12.
Without naming the officials, Pillai said a reply to such messages was generally given by his office but to the latest message he personally dictated the reply. He said he has directed his staff to inform the officials in Kottayam that he was not going to cancel the program and that he has decided to pay floral tribute at the tomb of the senior priest.
“I am not blaming the officials (who sent the message),” Pillai said adding that such matters — whether it is officials or people’s representatives — they should see in a broad aspect,” he said.
When contacted, the district police chief Shilpa Dyavaiah told PTI that a message was sent to the Goa Raj Bhavan informing them that the area where the function was being organized was a Covid-19 micro-containment zone and the function cannot take place.
She also said when the district collector removed the area from the micro-containment zone, a message was again sent to the Goa Raj Bhavan informing them that they can attend the function. “I have only done my duty and informed (them of) the fact,” Dyavaiah said.
Pillai, hailing from Kerala, was serving as the Mizoram governor before his transfer to Goa on July 15. He was close to Baselios Marthoma Paulose II.
The function was attended by dignitaries, including former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy and State Health Minister Veena George.
Source: outlookindia.com