Panaji, Nov 16 (IANS): Several winners of state government awards for journalism on Saturday got a mouthful from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for walking out of the auditorium before the commencement of his speech at a function organised on the occasion of National Press Day.

Sawant who gave away several awards by the Goa government's Department of Information and Publicity under the aegis of 'The Goa State Journalist Awards' also told the organisers to slot his speech early during the function the next time round, so that the audience would be in place to listen to him.

"We have given several media awards to journalists from various parts of Goa and for various fields. Some of them took the awards and walked away. Being a CM I am spending one hour. Why have I come. I have come to congratulate you. And if you are leaving without listening to me for even five minutes, then for what reason should I spend an hour here," Sawant said.

"I have told (organisers), for the next function, at least slot my speech first. At least people will listen to it. Or else what is in it for me to sit here for an hour," Sawant said.

Among the various categories for which awards are presented to journalists every year are best editor award on national integration and communal harmony, rural reporting, reporting with special reference to women and children/social issues, reporting on art and culture.