TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: On the eve of Union Budget for the year 2023-2024, Herald spoke to a cross section of people to learn their expectations from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and whether they hope for any sops for the middle class.
All Goa Liquor Traders' Association president Dattaprasad Naik hoped for a reduction in the customs duty on foreign liquor. “At present, the customs duty on foreign liquor is 150 per cent. We request PM Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to reduce it drastically and give much required relief to the liquor industry,” he said.
All Goa Purse Seine Boat Owners’ Association president Harshad Dhond urged the Finance Minister to introduce reimbursement of excise duty on diesel supplied for fishing activities. The excise duty on diesel which was reimbursed earlier has been stopped by the government for some reason, he said adding, “We urge the Union government to restart reimbursement of excise duty, and to allocate funds in the budget to boost mechanised fishing in Goa and across the country.”
The Union Budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024 should be a people-friendly and progressive budget. It should be aimed at improving the lives of every section of society, and businesses in all industries and sectors, said Shack Owners Welfare Society president Cruz Cardozo.
Crediting the Union government for introducing digital payments, former Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) Mayor and businessman Yatin Parekh said, “I feel that digital payments need to be incentivised for further promotion.”
Goan Seamen Association of India president Frank Viegas opined that provisions for Provident Fund, Gratuity and Pension to seafarers should be included in the budget. “Seafarers who are working on ships should be exempted from income tax. Oil and gas prices should be brought down as well,” he added.
Ashvek Vintage World proprietor Pradeep Naik said that Sitharaman is expected to present a populist budget bringing cheer to the middle class as many States are going to elections this year and with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. “The Finance Minister will keep everybody happy this time,” he said.
Goa Jewellers Association president Sameer Kudtarkar hopes that the Finance Minister will drastically reduce import duty to boost the jewellery industry and encourage people to buy more gold in the country. Cheryl Mesquita from Benaulim hoped that the Finance Minister will present a good budget and reduce the prices of essential commodities to woo voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. “The Finance Minister will give us reason to cheer as this may be her last budget, and she will set the stage for the next general elections,” said Mesquita.
