PORVORIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had praise for the Centre for giving the State its rightful share in revenue and also supporting infrastructure projects.

“When my Government took over in 2012-13, we received Rs 1072.87 crore from the Central Government as State share in Central Taxes and Grant-in-Aid representing about 15 percent of our Budget. Since 2015-16, there has been more than three-fold increase in the Central transfer to the State, pursuant to the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission Award, and today the Union Government has earmarked Rs 3224.61 crore as State share of Central Taxes and Grant-in-Aid, accounting for nearly 22.40 percent of our net present budget,” he said. He added that this was the State’s rightful share which it was demanding for many years. 

“Besides these measures, the Union Government, more particularly the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, has sanctioned three projects worth approximately Rs 11,000 crore for Goa, which would be paid out entirely from central funds, without any contribution from the State,” he said.

“Besides national highways, my government would undertake construction of district roads as well as internal roads, with an aim to construct good quality roads for each and every locality with proper design, slope, and side drainages for surface run off,” he stated.

He said the work of Khandepar Bridge costing Rs 297.00 crore, 4-laning of Dhavli Bypass costing Rs 61.38 crore, missing link of NH 4A costing Rs 184.05 crore, Margao Western Bypass costing to Rs 298.33 crore, Canacona Bypass with Talpona & Galajibag bridges costing Rs 280.16 crore funded by Central Government are already under execution and will be completed by 2020.

“I would like to also inform that the work for the new Zuari Bridge is presently under execution with the work of approaches on both sides with the total cost of Rs 1402.00 crore. The projects of 4 laning of NH-4 A and NH-17 including two packages on NH 17 from Patradevi to Bambolim, and the work of road safety audit costing Rs 260.00 crores which is funded by central Government will be executed during the current year,” he said.