Team Herald
PANJIM: The Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said that the forthcoming State budget would not tax the common man beyond a “reasonable” limit.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the Republic Day function, Parrikar refused to divulge details of the proposed Budget stating “it won’t be a budget if I tell you everything”. He, however, hinted at a possible rise in certain items saying, “But I can assure you that common man will not be taxed beyond a normal reasonable limit.”
He said that major taxation has been taken care of with the introduction of GST, while only minor State components remain which would be placed in the budget.
Parrikar, who holds the Finance portfolio, clarified that the Budget will not be called a populist one, though schemes required for the welfare of the people would be part of it. “Whatever is required to be done for the State will be there in the Budget,” he said.
The consultation process with stakeholders held ahead of drafting the Budget has begun and by the month-end the Chief Minister will hold one-to-one interactions with Ministers on their expectations and inclusions in the Budget. Department heads submitted their proposals to Finance Department last month.
Budget 2018-19 will be presented on February 22. The 15-day State Assembly session will commence on February 19.
