Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today ruled out early elections in the State which are due for March 2017.
“The elections will not be held this year. They will be either in second half of February or first half of March next year,” Parsekar said.
Manohar Parrikar led government was inducted in Goa on March 9, 2012 after BJP won with majority. Parrikar was later elevated to the Union Cabinet in November 2014 inducting Parsekar as the Chief Minister.
Responding to a question, Parsekar said it is for the party to decide who should be the next Chief Ministerial face in Goa.
“I have nothing to do with it. It will be party’s strategy,” the Chief Minister said.
“I am running the government which was formed on the mandate given for Manohar Parrikar. Though the party got the majority, we had projected Parrikar as legislative party leader during 2012 polls. Now I feel that during 2017 polls, it is my responsibility to give the same mandate to the party,” Parsekar said.
After sluggish four years on the mining front, Goa government expects to earn Rs 300-400 crore from the industry during ensuing financial year, chief minister said.
He said that after BJP government was sworn in the year 2012, the main source of income which was mining had come to standstill resulting in the revenue loss of about Rs 1,200-1,300 crore in last four years.
“After becoming negative on the mining front, in the coming financial year the state expects revenue of Rs 300-400 crore from the industry which will also be reflected in the estimates of the budget which will be presented on March 16,” Parsekar said.
Parsekar said State lost around Rs 5,000 crore due to ban on the mining industry during the last four years. The Chief Minister admitted that the loss of such a huge revenue resulted in strained finances of the State during BJP-led government.
“Luckily during last one and half year we have changed the scenario due to BJP at the centre. Though we have not asked for any package, union government’s viewpoint towards the state government has changed and all states have been benefitted largely through central kitty,”
he said.
