Chief Minister Pramod Sawant while presenting the State budget had declared a gross expenditure at Rs 26,844.40 crore for the financial year 2023-24. However, the ruling BJP-led government in Goa is very much dependent on borrowing loans to carry out umpteen developmental works and is reeling under a Rs 24,175.93 crore debt, which works to around 24% of the Gross State Domestic Product.
However, the Opposition had attacked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant when he declared in the Budget Session that after two years, his government will not be required to take loans. Sawant relied on mining revenues, GST collections, excise revenues and 36 per cent share from the Manohar International Airport at Mopa, when he said his government would not require to take loans in two years’ time.
The reality is that the mining business has not picked up despite auctioning of leases, even as it was looked upon as the main source of revenue generation, since it still has to negotiate several hurdles. Additionally, there is need to focus on tourism, which can generate revenue. This is not happening so far. Also, there is no thrust on industry and local businesses, and unemployment is rising at an alarming rate. The Opposition claims that the chief minister is presiding over a precarious economic situation that can escalate and get out of hand in the next two years.
In this scenario, frivolous and unwanted expenditure needs to be curtailed and public money has to be spent with great caution. One of the areas where there is unwarranted expenditure is on purchase of luxury cars by ministers, the General Administration Department and other government departments.
When Goa is riddled with economic uncertainties and increasing demands for fiscal responsibility, it is imperative for governments to exercise caution and prudence when allocating taxpayers’ money. One area that warrants closer scrutiny is the purchase of luxury cars for official use. While some argue that these vehicles are necessary for various purposes, it is high time we re-evaluate the rationale behind such expenditures and prioritise frugality.
Earlier, the government had specified that departments should only purchase Tata vehicles since they were frugal, low priced and were low maintenance. Presently, it appears that the government policy of purchasing cars is classified under luxury and semi luxury cars, without specifying any brand.
Purchasing luxury vehicles has several implications. When governments purchase luxury cars at the cost of taxpayers’ money, they send a message to the public that they are out of touch with the financial realities of everyday citizens and do not sympathise with their lot, even as citizens are slogging it out to make ends meet. While there may be legitimate reasons for acquiring such vehicles, ostentatious displays of wealth do little to inspire confidence that the government is a steward or trustee of public resources.
First and foremost, the cost of luxury cars is significantly higher than that of their more practical counterparts. Taxpayer money should be spent in ways that offer maximum utility for the greatest number of citizens. Funds diverted towards luxury cars could be better used to improve healthcare, education, infrastructure or run social programmes and schemes which have been stopped for sometime, since Goa government does not have money. A more frugal approach would allow the government to allocate resources to address pressing issues that directly benefit the community and Goans at large, especially the poor and most needy.
Moreover, the environmental footprint of luxury cars is often larger than that of more efficient vehicles. Given the growing concern for climate change and the need for responsible resource management, opting for environmentally friendly alternatives such as electric vehicles is not just a matter of political correctness – it is a moral and practical imperative. The government should lead by example in adopting eco-friendly practices such as these.
The government has also to look into the operational and maintenance costs associated with luxury vehicles. These expenses can quickly add up, making it essential for the government to weigh the long-term financial implications against the short-term prestige of using such vehicles. Frugality in this regard could result in significant savings over time and this could convince the people that government is judicious in the use of tax payers’ money.
Furthermore, purchasing luxury cars might foster a culture of entitlement among government officials and public servants where they have no qualms over purchasing luxury vehicles. It is essential to set the tone for responsible spending, ensuring that public servants understand the need to be frugal stewards of taxpayer money. Opting for more modest vehicles can help reinforce this message and promote a culture of fiscal responsibility.
