Team Herald
PANJIM: Stating that additional tax imposition would add a burden on the common man, Congress has urged the 15th Finance Commission (FCC) to ensure that the financial allocation for Goa for 2020-25, is “absolutely realistic” considering the recession in tourism sector and closer of mining industry.
In its submission to 15the Finance Commission, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar and Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has demanded a financial package of Rs 2,560 crore for various sectors, including protection of natural resources, flora and fauna.
Congress has recommended that FCC may consider releasing the grants meant to empower the local bodies directly to the local bodies without routing them through the State treasury.
“With recession in tourism and closure of mines, the Goa is facing an unprecedented economic and social crisis at present. The FFC must understand that the allocation for the 2020-25 period, needs to be absolutely realistic as Goa is staring at a very uncertain future despite generously contributing to revenue of central government in past 58 years. The formula of allocating grants had never favoured Goa,” the memorandum stated.
Congress further said that the tax effort of the State is among the highest in the country and hence further enhancing the tax and non-tax revenue by the State, and incentivising such rise by the FFC will add a burden on the common man, in this time of economic stress, caused due to faulty priorities and economic policy of the government of the day and the closure of mining since last 7 years.
“FFC therefore needs to carefully look at limited resources of the State, record unemployment, collapse of agriculture and fisheries and rising public debt among other burning issues,” Congress added.
Lamenting that the State fails to get its required share from central taxes, Congress said that minimum of 50% of the collections need to be remitted back to the state.
Congress has demanded Rs 1,200 crore for planned conservation of freshwater resources, groundwater deposits, coastal regulation zones and all the estuarine islands extremely vulnerable to sea level rise.
A special package of Rs 550 crore to establish Goa state Maritime Board has been sought; as well as funds for rejuvenation of Western Ghats development programme to benefit hinterland talukas of Sattari, Bicholim, Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona including rehabilitation of forest dwellers and those residing in notified forest.
It has demanded Rs 250 crore for Panchayat Raj Institutes and Rs 200 crore for Urban Local Bodies for capacity building in natural disaster management and increasing quantum of natural disaster relief funds
They have also called for a one-time booster package of Rs 180 crore for the 80,000 traditional artisans of Goa – for the active implementation of the unique Goenche Daiz scheme. The package can promote salt and marine chemicals industry, baking and confectionery, traditional Gold and jewellery craftsmanship, coconut and Cashew processing etc.
Under Missing bridge linkages program, a Rs 200 crore package has been sought to support building of small bridges across several rivers where people themselves construct temporary crossings at great risks. More than 100 such crossings need to be bridged to reduce hardships of landlocked people.
Package for gas based power generation, heritage conservation, Special revival and Conservation package for unique mask dance drama of Goa ‘Perani Zagor’, support to launch systematic campaign to get UNESCO heritage inscription for Goa’s Tiatr, etc has also been sought.
