TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The Congress party has asked the 14th Finance Commission for grants to Goa to mitigate the effects of the mining ban. In its memorandum to the members of the commission headed by Dr Y V Reddy, the Congress said these grants will help tackle problems occurred due to the closure of mining activities in the State.
“Due to total ban of mining in Goa by the State government and a very large population of Goa have financially suffered badly. Thousands of jobs have been lost due to ban on mining. Thus this commission is requested to sanction special grants for tackling the problem occurred due to the mining ban,” the memorandum copy signed by party’s three general secretaries and a treasurer reads.
The party has also urged to initiate special schemes for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the State.
A delegation of Communist Party of India (CPI) urged the commission to devolve back the net proceeds of the tax collected by Central government to the State. It has asked for 60 percent transfer during next five years plan from year 2015-20 which currency is only 32.5 percent.
“When the Central taxes collected from Goa are in the range of Rs 5,000 crore, the share in the taxes given back to Goa is only in the range of Rs 700-800 crore. Such a dispensation is totally inappropriate, as it hampers the development of the State,” the CPI said in its memorandum, separately submitted to the commission.
The CPI has also called up the commission to recommend the allocation of necessary funds to boost tourism industry in Goa by creating additional infrastructure and make necessary allocation of funds for improving the transport facilities on the model of Delhi metro.
In yet another representation to the commission, the Corporation of City of Panjim (CCP) has demanded a special package Rs 1,300 crore for Panjim to meet key requirements. Mayor Surendra Furtado explained to the commission members that a special package for Panjim was needed “to keep the city livable, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable.”
