PANJIM: The State government came under severe criticism in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday when Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar refused to disclose whether central funds have been diverted for debt servicing or plugging the fiscal deficit.
During Question Hour on Wednesday, Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane insisted that the CM table a specific reply over the allocation of untied funds from the central share. “I want a categorical reply from him (Parsekar) that the fund was utilized for debt servicing or plugging fiscal deficit,” Rane said demanding a proper reply.
Parsekar, who holds the Finance portfolio, revealed that Rs 1054 crore was spent on building physical and social infrastructure. He went on to state that the expenditure on different schemes exceeded the untied amount.
“We have spent Rs 2079 crore on social and physical infrastructure which is higher than the central government’s fund allocation of Rs 1054 crore. The State government is open to utilise such an allocated amount wherever required,” he stated, a reply that did not convince the Opposition MLA.
Under the social structure, Parsekar said, the government allotted Rs 330 crore for the Dayanand Social Security Scheme, Rs 180 crore for Griha Aadhaar, Rs 120 crore for various scholarships and Rs 180 crore for subsidies in Animal Husbandry, Tribal Welfare and other schemes.
While under physical infrastructure the amount was distributed to various departments such as Public Works Department Rs 525 crore, Power Department Rs 150 crore, Water Resources Department Rs 102 crore, Sewerage Corporation Rs 85 crore, GTDC Rs 65 crore, GSIDC Rs 220 crore and land acquisition for National Institute of Technology Rs 38 crore.
Rane again demanded that Parsekar admit that central funds were not used for debt servicing and plugging of physical deficit. “You are just replying that the money was used here and there but not a clear reply on my question. You are presenting the budget today (Wednesday). I challenge that it is not. The State has taken a huge loan…” he said.
Parsekar then blamed the former Congress government of taking huge loans. “I have to pay your loan,” he said, as he also countered Rane’s allegation that the promises made in the last Budget are not fulfilled.
“Don’t put words in my mouth. I have given the reply three times. We used the money for social and physical infrastructure, and one paisa has not gone out,” he added.
