Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that while the Goa government had a borrowing limit of Rs 4,500 crore, it had only availed of Rs 1,500 crore in loans.
During the discussion on the Goa Appropriation Bill 2024, Sawant stated, “I have not borrowed the full amount permitted. My limit was Rs 4,500 crore, but I have taken a loan of only Rs 1,500 crore. Additionally, we have received Rs 300 crore and Rs 1,185 crore in extra funds from the double-engine government.”
He further explained that in the previous financial year, the borrowing limit was Rs 4,300 crore, but the government took only Rs 2,500 crore, solely for capital expenditure. “Our fiscal deficit to GSDP ratio remains under 3%,” he assured the House.
Earlier, while introducing the Goa Appropriation Bill 2024, the Chief Minister sought approval for Rs 1,039.42 crore, of which Rs 469.33 crore is earmarked for revenue expenditure and Rs 570.09 crore for capital expenditure.
Sawant also noted that the State had initially projected Rs 450 crore in special assistance for the 2024-25 financial year. However, Goa has already received Rs 1,185.17 crore from the Government of India, with an additional Rs 300 crore expected by March 2025.