Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The upcoming Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier, scheduled from November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025, faces funding uncertainty from the Centre.
Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary hinted that Goa should utilize existing allocated funds instead of relying on the promised Rs 300 crore special grant.
Chaudhary cited significant increases in tax devolution and grants-in-aid to Goa.
Capt Viriato Fernandes had written to the Union Finance Ministry in connection with the Rs 300 crore special grant that Goa Govt had formally requested with the Centre for the Exposition.
Finance Ministry has pointed out that it has enhanced the tax devolution to State from Rs 2,480 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 4,708.37 crore in 2024-25.
In addition, the grants-in-aid has also been increased by the Government of India to Goa from Rs 566 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 1,506.57 crore in 2024-25.
Chaudhary has stated that the under the ‘Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), Rs 572.75 crore and Rs 695.20 crore was released to the State in the financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively.
