PANJIM: While the Union budget 2023-2024 has nothing to offer for Goa directly, the State government hopes to get around Rs 7,000 crore in form of central allocation through various Centrally sponsored schemes, infrastructure and tourism development and as GST compensation for the financial year 2023-2024.
Goa has already sought around Rs 2,000 crore financial support for its proposed Circle Road project to connect State entry points.
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Addressing media persons on Thursday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the Union Budget lays the strong foundation for ‘Amrit Kaal’, with the farsightedness of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi that aimed at fast-paced development of the nation.
“State hopes to get an increase in central allocations for various central schemes, infrastructure project, capital investment, GST compensation among others. For the financial year 2023-2024, we might get around Rs 7,000 crore,” he said.
Sawant said that for the current financial year up to December 31, 2022, the Central allocation has been around Rs 3,412 crore and it might touch Rs 5,000 crore by March 31, this year.
In 2021-2022, the Central allocation was around Rs 4304 crore while in 2020-21 it was Rs 3,865 crore, he said.
The Chief Minister said that post Budget, the concerned Ministers held meeting with their Secretaries and pitched for the setting up of various Centrally-sponsored projects.
The projects including setting up of Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence, Skill India Centre, National Green Hydrogen Mission, development of two tourism destinations, setting up Natural Farming Centres each in North and South Goa, National Digital Library, Unity Mall, Rs 500 crore under Rural Infrastructure Mission and funds for Urban Infrastructure Development.
“During the pre-budget consultation, we had proposed Rs 2,000 crore Circle road project that will connect all the entry points- Patradevi, Mollem, Keri, Pollem with a single point. For this process to appoint consultant is ongoing,” Sawant said.
Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said that it is one of best budget presented by Finance Minister with focus on inclusive growth. He said that despite Covid-19 crisis, the Centre has taken care of every sector in its Budget.
“It is a well balanced budget that has taken care of the entire sector with focus on country’s growth,” he said.
