PANJIM: After initially declining to comment on the State Budget 2020-21, the Opposition has now termed the document as “just grand announcements” with “hollow promises to fool the people”.
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday presented the State Budget, in absence of Opposition MLAs, who were marshalled out by the Speaker for disrupting House proceedings over alleged illegal arrest of Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte. The United Opposition had refused to react to the Budget.
In a statement issued, Leader of Opposition Digamber Kamat said that the Budget is full of hollow promises to fool the people.
“Wondering how wonders will happen, as the budget figures are wandering away from the realistic facts. The budget is full of hollow promises to fool the people of Goa,” he said.
Former chief minister also said that the proposed hike in excise duty will have castigating impact on the liquor industry as well as on tourism sector.
Speaking about the Budget outlay, Kamat said that government was unable to utilise Rs 14,000 crore Budget, as tabled last fiscal, and this year, the Budget size is estimated at Rs 21,000 crore. “These are just figures and nothing else,” he commented.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) President and MLA Vijai Sardesai also termed the Budget as just ‘grand announcements’ with no financial allocations and hollow promises like that of resumption of iron ore mining activities.
“This Budget, as expected, has been a futile exercise. Last year’s Budget was made up of figures, which were not adhered to. Same will be about this budget. Even allowing for this, most unimpressive Budget. I actually do not need to talk, because nearly all sectors are totally disappointed. Most important area to be addressed – tightening of strings of expenditure – no statement on this,” he said in a statement issued.
He said that the Budget is full of hollow announcement of priorities such as resumption of mining, exploring hinterland, medical and eco tourism, ease of living, ease of doing business, Goa as convention destination and educational hub but no details of how these will be achieved.
Former deputy chief minister charged that the Budget has potential to kill tourism.
“Foreign tourists are declining. And liquor, which is main attraction for domestic tourists, is set to become more expensive because of considerable hikes in excise and licence fees. Country liquor production will be hit badly,” he said.
He said that the projected revenue surplus of Rs 353.61 crore is actually a joke and that Chief Minister needs to be realistic and not relating fairy tales.
“How can a government that borrows money to pay old loans and interest have a revenue surplus?” He questioned adding that it is a totally directionless and unimaginative Budget.
What is actually deplorable is the use of Late Manohar Parrikar’s name at various places, including the absolutely unnecessary grandiose administrative building, to hide his own in competencies and illegalities, he said.
