Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday asked the Heads of Departments to ensure effective and timely utilisation of resources to prevent inefficiencies. He also disclosed that he will present the State budget for the financial year 2025-26 in March.
After chairing a pre-budget meeting at the Mantralaya, Porvorim with the Chief Secretary, Secretaries, and Heads of Departments (HoDs), Sawant told reporters that the meeting focused on addressing underutilisation of allocated budgets. Departments must ensure effective and timely utilisation of resources to prevent inefficiencies,
he said.
According to Sawant, 24 government departments were unable to complete their budget utilisation target and they have now been asked to fast track the utilisation. He said that of the Rs 1,680 crore budget allocated to these departments, hardly Rs 323 crore had been used. A significant focus was placed on addressing underutilisation of allocated budgets during pre-budget meeting. Departments must ensure effective and timely utilisation of resources.
Mentioning that the discussion focused on key aspects of preparing and implementing a balanced, forward-looking budget for the State, Sawant said that in order to explore new revenue sources, the departments have been asked to actively identify and implement innovative ways to boost revenue.
All government departments, semi-government Corporations and autonomous bodies are directed to explore strategies to monetise existing assets, for self-sufficiency and revenue enhancement. He said that reforms in service delivery processes are essential for efficiency and improved citizen satisfaction and that the departments have been asked to simplify procedures to maximise impact.
The departments shall also conduct regular evaluations of Corporations and autonomous bodies under their purview to ensure optimal performance, relevance and output.
The Chief Minister informed that these discussions emphasised the importance of innovation, accountability, and efficiency in budget preparation and execution. He reiterated that the Goa government's aim is to build a stronger and more self-reliant Goa.
Sawant claimed that promises given in the last budget speech have been fulfilled or their implications are in pipeline, with exception of six. He informed that of the 446 assurances given in the last budget, implementation of 70 had been completed, 107 will be completed by March this year and 263 will be completed in 2025 and six could not be fulfilled. He also assured that an action taken report will be presented regarding the budget assurances soon.