10 Aug 2019  |   04:47am IST

Opposition calls on govt to cut down on wasteful expenditure

Bad conditions of roads, State’s weak financial position raised during discussion on Goa Appropriation Bill, 2019, which was tabled by CM Pramod Sawant; CM denies charges but admits that there was ‘excess expenditure’
Opposition calls on govt to cut down on wasteful expenditure

Team Herald


PORVORIM:  Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat has asked the government to cut down on wasteful expenditure citing Goa’s weak financial position. Speaking during a discussion on The Goa Appropriation Bill, 2019 tabled by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the floor of the House on Friday, Kamat also pointed out to the number of bad roads across all constituencies, which he pointed out has also resulted in wastage of funds pumped in for the road projects. 

“I know and understand the situation of the State. The State is going through a difficult financial condition. The wasteful expenditure has to come to a standstill or else it will be difficult to manage the State in terms of finances,” he said, while referring to the consolidated funds during the financial year 2019-20. 

The Margao legislator also slammed the poor condition of the roads and pointed out to the crores of rupees, which has been spent by the PWD. “I challenge all the MLAs to say that roads (in their respective constituencies) are perfect and that there are no potholes. The hot-mixing of roads in the last year has been washed away. You should check all this,” he added. He further pointed out that the State is surviving on GST and casino tax collection. The former CM also did not leave the opportunity to highlight the bad sports infrastructure in view of the prevailing uncertainty with regard to the State hosting the National Games. 

To ensure that the State does not run into further financial crisis, Kamat said that exercising control of wasteful expenditure will resolve the issue. 

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in his reply to the statements made by the Opposition Leader denied wasteful expenditure but admitted that there is indeed ‘excess expenditure.’ He explained that the excess expenditure is for certain projects in the interest of the State. 

On the delay in taking up certain GSIDC projects, the CM stated that he will look into expediting the works. 

The Bill, which was passed after an elaborate discussion, was introduced to provide for appropriation out of the consolidated fund of the State of money required for services during the financial year. 

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar