PANJIM: The five-day long Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly begins from Monday, with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to table the State Budget 2016-17 on March 16.
Increase in allowance under Griha Adhar scheme, rise in value added tax (VAT) on petrol, slashing of state taxes on iron ore mining, infrastructure work, will be the major focus of the State Budget, which will be the last Budget of the BJP-led government before Goa heads for General Elections in early 2017.
Government sources confirmed that the government has zeroed in on two new Bills – Goa Waste Management Corporation Bill 2016 and Goa Staff Selection Commission Bill 2016 – under which appointment of all government employees will be brought under one roof. The former will focus on the formation of a Solid Waste Management Corporation (SWMC), to tackle issues related to solid waste, municipal waste, e-waste and hazardous waste generated in the State.
Government also intends to introduce an amendment to the Communidade Act in a bid to facilitate the State in acquiring communidade land for educational institutions. Also the Assembly’s Select Committee will place before the House the Goa Succession, Special Notaries and Inventory Proceeding Bill, 2012 in its original format for passing.
The tabling of the much-awaited ‘Bill on Regularisation of Illegal/Unauthorised Structures and Encroachment’, pending before the Advocate General Atmaram Nadkarni, who had raised some initial queries, is in doubt.
Also the uncertainty looms large over tabling of much delayed Medium of Instruction (MoI) policy which is pending before the select committee. Further, it will be interesting to see whether the House Committee to decide on legalisation of bull fights in the State tables its report.
Parsekar will have to walk a tight rope as he balances revenue generation and pleases voters before the next polls. Sources confirmed that the Budget will have new welfare schemes as the government eyes the election. The Chief Minister announced he would focus on employment creation and revenue generation.
The five-day session is expected to see some heated debate with opposition leaders, cutting across their party affiliation forming ‘grand alliance’ to corner government on various issues like beach cleaning scam, IFFI scam, power tariff, investment promotion board, regional plan, outline development plan, health, etc.
