PANJIM: With the Union Budget focusing on the agricultural and rural sectors, all eyes are now set on the State Budget 2016-17 which will be presented on March 16. The Budget, which will be Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar’ second one, will be this government’s last before Goa heads for Assembly elections that are due in early 2017.
Parsekar will have to walk a tight rope as he balances revenue generation and pleases voters before the next polls. Sources confirmed that the Budget will have new welfare schemes as the government eyes the election. The Chief Minister announced he would focus on employment creation and revenue generation.
With the Union Budget abolishing Export Duty on the low grade iron ore, the revenue from this sector could be visible during the coming Budget.
Speaking to Herald, Legislature Secretary Nilkant Subhedar said, “The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) met on Monday under the chairmanship of Parsekar and decided to table the budget on March 16.” He added that the discussion on the Budget and vote will take place during the Monsoon Session in July-August.
Government sources confirmed that the government has zeroed on two new Bills – Goa Waste Management Corporation Bill 2016 and Goa Staff Selection Commission Bill 2016 – under which appointment of all government employees will be brought under one roof. The former will focus on the formation of a Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC), to tackle issues related to solid waste, municipal waste, e-waste and hazardous waste generated in the State.
The tabling of the much-awaited ‘Bill on Regularization of Illegal/Unauthorized Structures and Encroachment’, pending before the Law department, remains in doubt. “Though Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister both want the bill to be tabled during the Budget session, the Law department is delaying it. The Chief Minister has already issued directions that the bill needs to be cleared before this week,” sources said.
