Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Goa Forward President and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that the Union Budget has nothing for Goa.
He said the union govt wants to reduce its fiscal deficit from the current 6.5 in 2023-24 to 4.5 in 2025-26.
“…But for the next fiscal, the union finance minister has fixed borrowing at only 3.5 per cent for the states. Goa is already facing a bigger fiscal deficit due to the massive fiscal mismanagement of the Pramod Sawant Govt, and to add to our woes, nothing quantifiable has been granted to Goa in this budget,” said Sardesai.
On the one hand, he added, states are asked to plant mangroves under the MISHTI scheme using CAMPA funds; but in Goa, our own funds are being diverted for afforestation in other states, like we’ve seen this government doing in Madhya Pradesh.
“If the promotion of coastal shipping for energy-efficient transportation is being proposed, then why destroy Goa’s forests and wildlife and local habitats for double-tracking railways? Why not use the sea route to transport your coal?” he questioned.
Sardesai pointed out that Under Tourism, Govt of India says fifty sites are to be selected for development as tourism destinations.
“It’s not clear if Goa will be part of it. Will Dr Pramod Sawant fight for at least ten sites in Goa for this tourism package? Or will he have no opinion and surrender to the union government as he did on Mhadei?” he said.
He further said that the Union Budget has been a disappointment for Goa, and the Double Engine has once again clearly failed to give any relief to Goans, proving beyond doubt that apart from the propaganda and the big promises, Pramod Sawant has no power with the Union government to get what Goa wants, what Goemkars want.
