Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has sought a financial claim of Rs 5,590 crore from the Centre in its submission before the 15th Finance Commission.
The Finance Commission will be in the State next week and hold a meeting with the Goa government and stakeholders during a two-day visit on January 23 and 24.
In this regard the Commission on Thursday had a meeting with the Principal Accountant General of Goa who made a detailed presentation to the Commission on the State’s finances.
Sources revealed that Goa has made a submission for Rs 5,590-crore package from the Centre, including additional compensatory funding to offset losses to the State due to the new GST regime.
Sources said the government has sought Rs 2,000 crore for infrastructure development, Rs 2,000 crore for power sector upgradation, Rs 900 crore for setting up various garbage treatment plants, Rs 350 crore for development of tourism infrastructure, amongst others.
The Commission, led by Chairman N K Singh will also meet with representatives of political parties in the State. “The Commission is also scheduled to have a detailed meeting with the Chief Minister of Goa along with other Ministers and senior State government officials,” the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said in a statement released on Thursday.
“During its stay in Goa the Finance Commission will have separate meetings with representatives of the State’s Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), representatives of trade and industry bodies of the State and representatives of political parties of Goa,” PIB said.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant is on record admitting that the State’s financial position is not very sound and efforts are being made to review the situation. Government’s borrowing for the current financial year have already cross the Rs 2,000 crore mark.
