PANJIM: The “please-all” Budget of the BJP-led government has failed to impress the opposition, with Leader of the Opposition Pratapsingh Rane terming it as an “election budget” with efforts to lure voters keeping in mind the 2017 Assembly polls. Addressing media soon after the Budget speech, Rane said that the “tempts” introduced in the form of increase in the upper age limit for jobs in government sector, various subsidies for farmers, etc is basically to lure voters. “The budget gives a feeling of being an election budget. The Chief Minister has tried his best but the overall budget paints a rosy picture keeping an eye on the ensuing election,” he said.
“The Government has failed to provide employment or create employment for 50,000 youth as promised in it election manifesto. On the contrary, now they are increasing the upper age limit to join the government sector from 40 to 45 years, this will lead to more unemployment,” he explained.
Rane pointed out that the State borrowings have crossed Rs 10,000 crore which is a major financial debt for a small State like Goa.
The former CM expressed complete displeasure over the increase in VAT on petrol and additional taxation on the tourism sector. “When petrol was $110 per barrel, the prices had crossed Rs 60 per liter in Goa. But now when the international prices have come down, I don’t find any justification for the State to increase the VAT,” he said.
Meanwhile the Goa Foward movement has criticised the government for giving a cash incentive to students of marathi and konkani. “The government has not come clear on grants for the English-medium schools. At the same time, an attempt is made to appease BBSM by announcing special grants to primary schools in regional medium,” they said.
