TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Sunday sounded positive that Goa will get a suitable financial package to tide over the mining crisis, even as he said that the Finance Minister P Chidambaram has extended his full support to the State as far as the banking sector is concerned, including restructuring of loans vis-a-vis the mining industry.
The Chief Minister said he was quite positive in getting a financial package from the Central government. “Whether it is Rs 3000 cr or less, we will have to wait and see. What is more important is that I have received indications that the centre is willing to coordinate with the state government on the mining crisis facing the state. This is important,” he added.
“There’s a misunderstanding that Goa’s request for Rs 3,000 crore financial package has been rejected. We cannot ask a financial package from the Planning Commission. Requests for a financial package should be made to the Finance Minister,” Parrikar said during an informal interaction with media persons on the sidelines of his visit to the Benaulim.
He said the Finance Minister P Chidambaram has given a positive response to the State’s request for the financial package, but hastened to add that there was no commitment. “I am aware that a Finance Minister cannot give any commitment for a financial package. I am also the state’s Finance Minister and I understand that,” he said.
Replying to a question, Parrikar said that he was hopeful the Union Finance Minister would take a positive decision after examining Goa’s proposal for a financial package. “We will send all details for the financial package to the Union Finance Ministry.”
