Panaji, Mar 26: Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar begun his second phase of treatment at a hospital in the US from today. Parrikar, 62, is presently admitted to the hospital in the US for treatment of the pancreatic ailment. "(The) Chief minister had a telephonic conversation with me in the morning,", Assembly Speaker Pramod Sawant said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

"(The) Chief Minister took an update of general and administrative matters in Goa. He also informed me that he is starting with (the) second phase of treatment from tomorrow," the speaker was quoted as saying in the statement. Sawant said, "Parrikar has appealed the people of Goa not to believe in rumours about his health, which are being spread by vested interests."

Parrikar was initially admitted to the Mumbai-based Lilavati Hospital after being diagnosed with mild pancreatitis last month. He was discharged after a few days and returned to Goa to present the budget on February 21. After spending a couple of days at home, he was admitted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital near Panaji. Later, he again went to the Lilavati Hospital on March 5 and from there he was taken to the US.