Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 21: The Goa government has postponed the presentation of state budget to March 26, following the death of tourism minister Matanhy Saldanha during the wee hours of Wednesday March 21.
 
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that he has already moved a file before Governor K Sankarnarayanan seeking to postpone presentation of budget on March 26.

Parrikar was scheduled to present the budget on Wednesday on the floor of the House.

Saldanha, holding tourism, forest and environment portfolios, expired in the wee hours following a massive cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Panaji.

Speaker of legislative assembly Rajendra Arlekar said that the budget presentation would be held on March 26 even as assembly will meet for sometime to move an adjournment motion.

The election for the post of deputy speaker was also scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

Goa government has also announced three days state mourning and cancelled the Shigmo festival celebration in the state.

Reacting to the death of his cabinet colleague, Parrikar said that he has lost a friend in the demise of Saldanha. “For last ten years, he has been with me in my good and bad days,” the chief minister said referring to disqualification petition filed by his former party against the minister.

Parrikar said, "Saldanha left for abode when things were turning good for the state and he was in a position to achieve what he dreamt."

Saldanha had won in Cortalim constituency on BJP ticket in March 3 Goa polls. He was given cabinet berth on March 9 when Parrikar sworn in five ministers.

The last rites on the body of Saldanha will be held on Friday March 23.