Panaji, May 1 (IANS): Goa Governor Mridula Sinha formally issued an office memo on Monday to extend till May-end the term of a three-member ministerial panel to govern the state in the absence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, hinting he may not return from abroad as claimed earlier by the BJP.

Parrikar is undergoing advanced treatment for pancreatic cancer in the US.

"The Chief Minister is pleased to direct that the arrangements made for transaction of business of the government... in his absence on medical grounds shall be continued for a further period from May 1 to May 31 on the same terms," the memo informed state government officials.

The committee's term was set to expire on Monday.

State Bharatiya Janata Party President Vinay Tendulkar had earlier claimed that Parrikar will return and assume charge of his office in May.

Before he left for the US on March 8, Parrikar had designated a committee of Francis D'Souza (BJP), Sudin Dhavalikar (MGP) and Vijai Sardesai (Goa Forward) to oversee the day-to-day administration in his absence.