Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Francis Coelho, General Secretary (Communications), Aam Aadmi Party Goa, strongly criticized the recently presented Goa State Budget 2025-26, calling it “an outright betrayal of ordinary Goans, favoring
corporate interests, builders, and politically connected contractors while neglecting essential services infrastructure, and community welfare.”
Highlighting hidden clauses promoting privatization, Coelho pointed out, “The BJP government secretly amended land-use regulations, converting over 26 lakh sq.m. of eco-sensitive land for real estate,
severely compromising Goa’s environment.
The Deposit Refund Scheme introduced stealthily will unjustly burden Goan consumers and enrich a single out-of-state corporation.”
He condemned the blatant favoritism towards mega-corporations, stating, “Tax breaks and incentives are lavishly provided to companies investing above ₹5,000 crore, while our local small businesses receive no support. This is clearly a budget designed to serve the wealthy few at the expense of our middle-class families and SMEs.”
Coelho emphasized severe neglect in essential sectors such as education and healthcare, noting, “Despite a ₹94 crore reduction in the education budget, over 60% of government schools still lack basic amenities like water, toilets, and internet. Healthcare remains critically underfunded, especially in rural
Goa, where promised health projects languish incomplete.”
Addressing the tourism crisis, Coelho said, “Foreign tourist numbers have drastically declined, replaced by unregulated domestic tourists causing significant environmental and social strain. Yet, the budget irresponsibly prioritizes superficial projects over fundamental infrastructure improvements.”
He further stressed the neglect of traditional livelihoods and culture, “This budget utterly ignores fisherfolk, agriculture workers, and our vibrant Konkani and Marathi cultural communities. Existing cultural institutions are left to deteriorate, while funding is diverted to new constructions benefiting contractors through kickbacks.”
Concluding his critique, Coelho affirmed, “AAP Goa demands transparency, accountability, and
immediate corrective action from the government. Goa deserves honest governance, genuine public welfare investments, and development that truly benefits every Goan—not just political cronies.”
