REACTION…
“Within hardly three days of the swearing-in ceremony, it was expected that the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, would pass Vote on Account rather than presenting a full budget 2022-23. It appears to be an overestimated budget, prepared hurriedly without any inputs from various stakeholders,”
GSIA President
Damodar Kochkar
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) has called the State Budget presented by the Chief Minister overestimated and prepared sans any inputs from stakeholders.
GSIA also said that while CM has made several announcements, there is no money to back them.
“Within hardly three days of the swearing-in ceremony, it was expected that the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, would pass Vote on Account rather than presenting a full budget 2022-23. It appears to be an overestimated budget, prepared hurriedly without any inputs from various stakeholders,” GSIA president Damodar Kochkar said in a statement here.
GSIA said the Chief Minister has presented the budget outlay of 24467 crores.
“Revenue expenditure is estimated at 17097 crores and capital expenditure at 7367 crores. With no further increase in taxation, it is to be seen how this additional budget outlay will be achieved,” he said.
He further added that the Chief Minister said that the Government intends to plug revenue leakages and strict compliances.
“However, much will depend on the efficiency of the Government. We find that, in the budget, there is no focus on revenue-generating sectors of the economy. There is hardly any budget outlay to develop infrastructure in the Industrial Estates,” GSIA says.
GSIA said the industrial sector contributes nearly 40% of the State’s GDP.
The infrastructure in the Industrial Estates is very pathetic, and no new manufacturing industries are coming to Goa. To add to it, the existing industries are going outside the State for expansion.
“It is very discouraging to note that recently, in one newspaper report, the Chief Minister has said that he does not want production based industry in Goa. It appears that he has based his hopes on mining, electronics manufacturing and IT, which are, at present, non-starters in Goa,” GSIA president said.
He added, “We, however, welcome the announcement in the budget of strengthening Public Grievances Cell for transparency and fast delivery of services. Implementation of Public Services Act and announcement of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme for Government employees are also welcome initiatives”.
