Team Herald

PORVORIM: Against all odds and even the Economic Survey projecting a GSDP slump to 5.5 percent in 2016-17, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has presented a revenue surplus budget for 2017-18.

Clad, perhaps for the first time, in a full-sleeved shirt, Parrikar has targeted a GSDP growth of 11 percent. In his speech, which lasted 1 hour 27 minutes, Parrikar laid special thrust on infrastructure, agriculture, social security and education.

Giving details of the budget estimates, Parrikar said, “I am happy to present a revenue surplus Budget of Rs 202.48 crore for the year 2017-18. The revenue receipt for the current fiscal are estimated at Rs 10872.63 crore and the revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs 10670.15 crore.”

The Gross Budget size for 2017-18, has been estimated at Rs 16,027.01 crore as against Rs 14,694.17 crore in 2016-17; showing an increase of 9.07 percent, he said.

The Chief Minister said Goa’s per capita income stood at Rs 2,71,793, the highest among states.

“I have not compromised on implementation of any welfare scheme or on the infrastructure while making present budget provisions but still controlled the increase in revenue expenditure at bare minimum,” he stated.

The Chief Minister also proposed disbanding of the State Planning Commission as the same has been done at national level with setting up of Niti Ayog. “Alternative mechanism will be announced in due course of time,” he stated.

Parrikar also proposed to withdraw entry tax collected by PWD from outstation vehicles at the borders. “I propose to withdraw the scheme of collection of entry fee at the border points when GST is implemented,” he said.

He also proposed to marginally enhance the Excise Duty on beer manufactured in Goa or imported from the rest of India or from outside India and sold in Goa. The price of bulk litre of beer with alcoholic strength below five percent and above five percent has been hiked to Rs 20 and Rs 24 respectively. Manufacturers of high-end hard liquor, who import concentrated alcoholic beverages will be levied an additional annual fee of Rs 1 lakh, according to a budgetary proposal.

To add to the tax from Motor vehicles, Parrikar also proposed to rationalise tax on high-end vehicles. 

Eyeing extra revenue or discourage more casinos, Parrikar has increased the annual recurring fees. “I propose to revise the fees for renewal of license, 

annual recurring fees and fees for transfer of license; for land based and off-shore casinos,” he said.

As per information, the annual recurring fee of casinos based on passenger capacity has been hiked from minimum of Rs 6 cr to Rs 10 cr.   

Major announcements

Parrikar laid special emphasis on completion of major specialised projects taken up by GSIDC and streamlining the GSIDC portfolio to such niche projects.

“During this financial year, I propose to complete the new Mandovi Bridge in Panjim, the Amona-Virdi Bridge, Tambudki Bridge at Arpora-Baga and the Grade Separator at Dabolim, Phase-II of Goa Dental College, State Health Training Institute at Mapusa, Primary Health Centers at Cansaulim, Cacora and Tuem and Cottage Hospital at Chicalim, Kala Bhavan at Sancoale etc,” he said.

The budget assured implementation of the Public Services Act to streamline administration and introduced a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for the government servants.

To curb corruption, Parrikar proposed constituting a special squad in vigilance department to probe graft cases, including those related to disproportionate assets.

Parrikar targeted 6 percent growth in agriculture and earmarked Rs 172 crore for the sector. He proposed a scheme to promote commercial cultivation of mangoes and said emphasis would be given to horticulture and floriculture.

To boost sugarcane cultivation, the budget proposed Rs 10,000 per hectare subsidy to farmers.

To encourage education in mother tongue, Parrikar allocated Rs 6-crore additional grant for schools imparting education in Konkani and Marathi. Also, 50 more school counsellors will be recruited.

Parrikar announced that financial benefits under flagship programmes like Dayanand Social Security Scheme, Grih Aadhar and Laadli Lakshmi would be linked to inflation. The government would study the impact of these schemes.

The CM proposed Rs 900 crore for social sector, Rs 475 for women and children and Rs 190 crore for tribal welfare.