Team Herald
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that though the debt of the State is increasing it is well within the permissible norms of 3 per cent.
Replying on discussion on General Budget in the House, the Chief Minister said, “ Even though the debt repayment costs of debts taken 10 years back are occupying a growing proportion of committed expenditure, it is well within permissible limits”.
He said the State of Goa has been maintaining the Consolidated Sinking Fund (CSF) and the Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF) With the Reserve Bank of India as buffers for repayment of State debt liabilities.
“As on March 31, 2019, the Corpus of Consolidated sinking fund is Rs 603.54 crore and Corpus of Guarantee Redemption Fund is Rs 303.90 crore,” he stated.
Sawant added that his govt has the strength to repay the loans and have made provisions through corpus funds in case of emergency.
No decision yet on Sugar factory
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the State government has not taken any decision with regards closure of the Sanjeevini Sugar Factory.
“As of now the loss is Rs 102 crore loss and we do not know how much it will go further,” he said.
Sawant said his govt will check the viability of operating the factory with farmer’s perspective.
“We are concerned of the farmers and hence will not take any decision without consultation and discussion with the farmers,” he said.
As an immediate measure he also suggested, “in case the factory is closed the government may also opt to buy sugarcane from the farmers and will get the money for the yield.”
Nat games dates by Mon or Tue
The Chief Minister on Friday announced that the dates for the National games in Goa would be finalised by Monday or Tuesday.
“Once the dates are announced the infrastructure development works will gain momentum,” he said.
