WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2024
I hope to actually see some actual value for the taxes I pay. Better infrastructure is needed overall. Affordable interest rates on home loans and real estate are needed post this pandemic. Sensible fuel prices, better public transport, affordable electric vehicles. It would be great to have a budget that actually helps us vs another one which taxes us even more, for value we aren’t already getting. I’m hoping women run businesses get a boost and some assistance.
- Aadore Mukherjee,
Casting Director, Bambolim
Petrol prices as it impacts every other thing. Inflation is killing families and the root cause is petrol prices and the taxes on it. Income tax rebate on interest component of house loan needs to be increased so that people can own their own houses and bigger houses. This will give an impetus to growth and improvement standard of living.
- Genevieve Dcunha, Senior corporate professional, Curtorim
As a result of the Pandemic a lot of businesses have suffered and a lot of women started small enterprises from home to keep their families afloat through these tough times. It would be great if the government considered gives financial support and tax breaks to such women who are trying to get their lives back on track and be a part of the working force.
- Anu Visvanathan, Communication Consultant, Porvorim
As a businesswoman, I would like to see more simplification in the GST taxation, as in lesser slabs. Bring Petrol & Alcohol under GST, women friendly schemes for entrepreneurs, be it loans or business grants, overall removal of income tax
- Nupura Hautamaki, Marketing & Events Consultant, Guirim
In the upcoming State budget, I would like to see fiscal provisions being made for Goa to attain self-sufficiency in terms of its natural resources. The Pandemic has demonstrated how dependent Goa has been on Food raw materials and FMCG supplies from its neighboring states. It would be really fantastic if financial impetus could be offered to Goan fisheries’ activities in the form of incentives aimed at rearing, fishing and distributing fresh produce to all Goans to enjoy the fruits of the sea instead of exporting it to other states. Vegetables and fruits are also imported from the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra when our own Goan agriculturists could produce the same if provided with the right kind of stimulus and departmental support. In terms of the waste being generated in the State, I would like to see financial allocation for the recycling of plastic waste and a fresh round of funding for tendering new Garbage Processing Plants so that the environment around me remains unpolluted and live able. Would it be so difficult to expect from the state government a budget that focuses on self-sufficiency in the State, especially when we possess all the elements to achieve prosperity existing within.
- Moses Pinto, Advocate, Margao
GST reduction on raw materials. Income tax benefits for middle income since after introducing gst by and large everyone is tax net.More duties on cheap Chinese products should be levied so that Indian small scale industry can compete. Govt says make in India and there should be more incentives in place to give a boost to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Sneha Bhandare,
Entrepreneur, Dabolim
A focus on the restoration/afforestation of all forests that were degraded due to mining and quarry activities.-Resources to set up a marine cell within the forest department or across the fisheries, biodiversity, tourism and forest department. A focus on creating skill development for sustainable and eco-conscious tourism practices. Compensatory plans and support to small scale fishers for the losses they have faced due to extreme weather events and the pandemic. Prioritise infrastructural support, keeping in mind the CRZ laws, for small scale fishers for their fishing gear eg., boats, nets, etc. during the monsoon. Complete the CZMPs including the recommendations given by experts and the public and implement these plans. Build a climate resilience plan for the state incorporating indigenous knowledge and public recommendations. Create and implement restoration plans for coastal ecosystems like Sand dunes and intertidal zones. Create better waste management systems and invest in recycling/reusing initiatives that reduce the need for landfills. This is especially for glass bottles that are produced in large quantities in the state. Creating community protected areas in the marine space like Grande Island and the intertidal zones that are breeding grounds and nurseries for guitar fish. Restoration and investment in traditional practices for khazan management. An internal energy production plan to reduce the need for energy from other states. This plan should also consider renewable sources of energy as the world is moving in that direction.
- Marishia Rodrigues, Independent Ecologist, Chimbel
