WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS FROM MINING RESUMPTION… GOA CM MAKES BAG FULL OF ANNOUNCEMENTS

HIGHLIGHTS

1. Swayampurna Budget : Establishment of Swayampurna Board
2. International Summits : G-20 :Rs. 300 crore allocation
3. National Games : Rs. 225 crores allocation
4. Formulation of Green Policy to promote Green Sources of energy
5. Mhaji Bus Yojana : Hiring of Pvt Buses : Rs. 25 crores allocation
6. Job to Sportsperson : Gold Medallist in National Games or National Awardee.
7. Creation of new Department of Empowerment of Person with Disabilities.
8. Levy Green-cess for non-Goan Vehicles entering Goa
9. “Mukhyamantri Gurudakshina Yojana”: Grants to all educational institutions through online system.

• 10% reservation for Staff of GHRDC and Agniveers in Police Constable, Forest Guard, Fire Fighter, Excise Guard posts.

 

 

 

Goemkarponn desk

PORVORIM: Depending heavily on expectations of mining revenue, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant presented its budget for 2023-24, proposing to allocate funds to promote tourism in the coastal State, including hinterlands, improve education through reforms and resume mining to shore up revenue.

Sawant tabled in the Assembly the budget with a total outlay of Rs 26,844 crore, an increase of 9.71 per cent over the estimates for the financial year 2022-23.

Sawant, who also holds the finance portfolio, said that the total receipts projected show a growth of 12.53 per cent over the previous year.

“Due to the discontinuation of GST compensation, the State will see a revenue deficit of approximately Rs 800 crore through grants from Central Government. This void will be majorly filled by revenue collection from initiatives taken by my Government for restarting of mining activities in the State and increase in the share of Goa in Central taxes,” he said.

The budget has announced an allocation of Rs 262.85 crore, an increase of 6.34 per cent over the last year, for the tourism department. Sawant said that the Government will encourage caravan tours to encourage tourists to explore Goan hinterlands.

It seeks to reform the educational sector by introducing a Swayampurna (self-reliant) Goa Board.

The CM said the State is expecting the second instalment of the grant of Rs 150 crore of “Goa@60” initiative (to mark the 60 years of Goa’s liberation) from the Centre in 2023-24.

The CM said that due to financial reforms, they have ended up with a revenue surplus of Rs 59.39 crore (2022-23) as against projections of Rs 58.46 crore in FY 2021-22 despite the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the State’s economy.

“For FY 2023-24, the estimated revenue surplus is Rs 669.46 crore,” Sawant said.

The chief minister said that the Government of India has capped the fiscal deficit to GSDP (gross state domestic product) ratio at 3.5 per cent for 2023-24. “Further, the unutilized borrowings of the previous financial year have been allowed to be carried forward as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission,” he said.

Considering this, he said, the fiscal Deficit is estimated to be Rs 4,183.1 crore.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has proposed to levy a “green” tax for non-Goan vehicles entering the State.

To control revenue leakage, the Government has decided to form a special task force to crack down on businesses running without registration, he said.

Sawant thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing increased special assistance of Rs 571 crore to Goa in FY 2022-23 under the “Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure”.

“Due to the continuation of the scheme in FY 2023-24, I expect that the state will receive similar assistance in the coming financial year, which will fast-track infrastructure development in the state,” he said.

The CM said his Government has drawn Rs 500 crore from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) at low-interest rates for the second consecutive year and received sanctions worth Rs. 745 crores for rural infrastructure development.

“We have also availed ‘Cluster Development Fund’ from SIDBI for the development of MSME-related infrastructure in the State. Projects worth Rs 700 crore have already been sanctioned and we expect to get more Rs 1,000 crore worth of projects sanctioned under this fund,” he said.

 

 

GOA FISCAL PROFILE….

 

The gross expenditure is projected at Rs. 26,844.40 crores which is a rise of 9.71% over estimates for 2022-23.

The total receipts projected are showing a growth of 12.53% over 2022-23. Due to the discontinuation of GST Compensation, the State will see a revenue deficit of approximately Rs. 800 crores through Grants from the Central Government.

This void will be majorly filled by revenue collection from the initiatives taken by my Government for restarting Mining Activities in the State and an increase in the Share of Goa in Central Taxes.

I also expect to receive the 2nd instalment of the grant of Rs. 150 crores of “Goa @ 60″ from the Central Government in FY 2023-24. I am pleased to inform this august house that due to various financial reforms undertaken during my tenure, we have ended with a revenue surplus of Rs. 59.39 crores as against projections of Rs. 58.46 crores in FY 2021-22 despite the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the economy. For FY 2023-24, the estimated revenue surplus is Rs. 669.46 crores,” he said.

He said the Government of India has capped the Fiscal Deficit to GSDP ratio at 3.5% for the Financial Year 2023-24. Further, the unutilized borrowings of the previous financial year have been allowed to be carried forward as per the recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission. Considering this, Fiscal Deficit is estimated to be Rs. 4,183.10 crores.

The Grant-in-aid expected from the Central Government for various purposes in FY 2023-24 is estimated at Rs. 1,610 crores.

“I hope that our Double-engine Government will certainly increase this quantum of funds to our State,” he said.

He thanked Prime Minister for providing increased Special Assistance of Rs. 571 crores to the State of Goa in FY 2022-23 under “Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure”

 

 

BUDGET FIGURES

 

Gross Expenditure : Rs. 26,844 crore indicating growth of 9.71%

Of which  Revenue Expenditure : Rs. 19,768 crores

Capital Expenditure : Rs. 7,075 crores

 

Revenue Surplus budget of Rs. 669 Crores

Fiscal Deficit is Rs. 4,183 crores which is within guidelines allowed by Central Finance Ministry.

 

Total Revenue Receipts : Rs. 25,836.58 crores indicating growth of 12.53%

Of which Tax Receipts        : Rs. 12,531 crores

Non-Tax Receipts     : Rs. 6,025 crores.

Grants from Central Government :Rs. 1,670 crores.

*Due to stoppage of GST compensation there is shortfall of Rs. 800 crores in Central Government Grants.

 

GOVERNANCE

• Call for Corporations to be “Swayampurna”
• Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana: Allow SHGs/Women to run Govt. canteens
• Mukhyamantri 24×7 Helpline: To deal with all the greivances
• Online subsidy application and release mechanism
• Data Analytic Cell implementation from April : Rs. 10 crores

 

GMC

• Jan Aushadhi Kendra in GMC and Strengthening of Goa Antibiotics Ltd in GMC
• Blood Bank, Respiratory Medicine Hosipital at GMC

 

HEALTH

• Mukhyamantri Mediclaim Yojana: With increased income and Mediclaim limit
• Medical College in South Goa
• 2 New Nursing Colleges
• New Cancer Hospital
• New Ayush Hospital in North Goa
• Contract Basis appointment of Surgeons/Gynaecology in DHS

 

Public Works

• Rise by 28.03%, allocation of Rs. 2,678 crores
• Circle Road across borders and New Borim Bridge.
• MLA LAD scheme : Rs. 100 crores kept
• All maintenance of Government buildings by PWD

 

GSIDC

• Foundation stone for “Prashasan Stambh”- Tallest administrative building and North Goa Collectorate.

 

Electricity

• Allocation of Rs. 3856.56 crores, increase of 22% for various works.

 

New and Renewable Energy

 

• Relaunch of EV Subsidy scheme.

 

WRD

• No compromise on Mhadei
• Dredging of Sal and Mapusa river under river rejuvenation.

 

TRANSPORT

• Hassle free movement of tourist in Goa with Sticker on vehicle at borders.
• Make ticketing in Kadamba cashless which will reduce ticket price.
• Incentivize EV/CNG based vehicles
• “Intelligent Transport Management System” so that people utilise public transport instead of their own vehicles

 

SPORTS

• Hiring of coaches by associations on contract basis.

 

 

PANCHAYATS

• Increase in Honorarium to Sarpanch/Panchas and timely salary payment mechanism.
• GIS based monitoring system to avoid works duplication by many departments
• Infrastructure grant allocation process to be made online.

 

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Increase in Remuneration/Daily wages to MNREGA staff.

 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT

• Master plan for various Municipalities in Progress and under implementation in Sankhali.
• Rehabilitation of notified slum dwellers in urban areas of Margao, Mormugao and Panaji.

 

INDUSTRIES

“Mukhyamantri Saral Udhyog Sahay Yojana” : Governement will contribute to Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for making the loans collateral free for MSMEs up to a maximum of 95 per cent. 10 crores allocated.

“Mukhyamantri Godhan Yojana”: Productivity Linked Incentive for selling GoMay Projects.

“Fixed Term Employment Scheme”: employees hired for short periods will also get statutory benefits such as PF, Gratuity, medical benefits etc

Goa Haat Project will also house the “Unity Mall”

 

MINES

• Restarting of Mines being priority of my Government.

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• Paperless “E-office” in Government Departments.
• Achieve the objective of “Har Ghar Fibre”
• No guarantor required for IT Startups in CMRY scheme.
• Collateral-free term loan at nominal interest rates for setting up Common Service Centers/VLEs.

 

LABOUR CARD

• Simplified process of issuing “Labour Card” based only on Aadhar.

 

SKILL DEVELOPMENT

• Chief Minister Apprenticeship Policy : for skilling of manpower through GEDC even in Government departments. Rs. 5 crores provided.
• Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Scheme” with an objective to skill, re-skill and up-skill maximum number of local youth.

 

AGRICULTURE

• “Assured Price for Agriculture Produce” support price increased: Paddy Rs.20 to Rs. 22 per kg, Coconut Rs. 12 to Rs. 15, and Cashew Rs. 125 to Rs. 150 per kg.

 

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

• “Mukhyamantri Pashuseva Yojana”: Animal Emergency Services will be provided with 24×7 animal ambulance facilities.
• “Gomantak Gosamvardhan Yojana” for conservation of Local Breed of Cattle of Goa.
• “Mukhyamantri Sudharit Kamdhenu Scheme” Revamp earlier schem to boost the milk production.

SOCIAL WELFARE

• CM Scholarship Portal to streamline the scholarships disbursed to students
• “Mukhyamantri Sahayata Nidhi” Grants to Socially active NGOs

 

TRIBAL WELFARE

• Tribal Sub Plan allocation increased to Rs. 1,201 crores. 7 times higher than previous year.
• Freedom Fighter Museum at Farmagudi at Rs. 15 crores

 

CO-OPERATION

• Relief to Co-operative Housing Sector by allowing housing societies to get the land transferred in their name by executing the required sale/conveyance deeds at flat rate of fees for registration deeds.
• Insurance scheme to protect depositors money kept in Co-operative Credit Societies.

 

EDUCATION

• Education sector has been around 16% of the total budget size.
• Implementation of NEP in Higher Education, Technical Education and School Education a priority.
• “Mukhyamantri Vashishta Guru Puraskar”: Award teachers for their remarkable performances.
• Grants to be released per Balrath Bus is proposed to be increased from Rs.3.66 lakhs to 4.17 lakhs along with timely salary to Balrath staff.

 

REVENUE

• Agriculture Bill : to protect farming in the State.

HOME

• Goa Pension Welfare Scheme made permanent

I&P

• “Advertisement Policy” to be formulated with revenue sharing with local bodies.
• “Entertainment Policy” to be formulated to regulate all kinds of entertainment in the State.
• Journalist Pension Increased to Rs. 10,000.
• E-bikes to be provided to Journalist

 

Archaeology

• Chandor to be developed as heritage city. Restoration of Farmagudi Fort also proposed.
• To restore the temples demolished during Portuguese regime, a provision of Rs. 20 crores has been kept.
• Construction of Rangbhoomi (Kala Ghar) in Priol Constituency
• Start an Eco-friendly Green Library at Ponda and well equipped library at Curchorem

Official Language

• Vishwa Konkani Sammelan to be held in Goa
• Official Gazettes in Konkani language
• Bhasha Bhavan : Rs. 9 crores kept

 

Tourism

• Promote Goa Beyond Beaches, Caravan Tours, Wellness Tourism, Home Stay Policy.
• MICE Tourism : to promote Goa as Convention destination.

 

PPP

• Explore opportunities to develop Theme Parks, Entertainment Parks, Adventure Tourism etc.

 

PROVEDORIA

• Setup ‘Mukhyamantri Matru Pitru Kalayan Kendra’ for Senior Citizen Couples

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GOA HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

• “Atal Pension Yojana” to be started to staff of GHRDC with contribution from Corporation
• Fee Reimbursement to staff of GHRDC for higher studies.

 

GOA GAZETTEER

• Translation of several historical records related to Portuguese atrocities in Goa will be carried out.

COMMERCIAL TAXES and Excise

• “One Time Settlement Scheme” of commercial taxes : to be launched by May 2023.
• Rationalise the VAT on Natural Gas
• Reduce the excise duty on High End Liquor