Goa Ind. Association criticizes CM’s state budget

Panaji, March 30: Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) on Wednesday said that the state budget presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was hurriedly-prepared without input from stakeholders. ”The Chief Minister has presented the budget outlay of 24467 crores. Revenue expenditure is estimated at 17097 crores and capital expenditure at 7367 crores. With no further increase in taxation, it is to be seen how this additional budget outlay will be achieved. The Chief Minister said that the Government intends to plug in revenue leakages and strict compliances. However, much will depend on the efficiency of the Government,” GSIA President Damodar Kochkar said. ”We find that, in the budget, there is no focus on revenue generating sectors of the economy. There is hardly any budget outlay to develop infrastructure in the Industrial Estates. At present, the industrial sector contributes nearly 40 per cent of the State’s GDP. The infrastructure in the Industrial Estates is very pathetic and no new manufacturing industries are coming to Goa. To add to it, the existing industries are going outside the State for expansion,’ he said. He, however, welcomed the announcement in the budget of strengthening the Public Grievances Cell for transparency and fast delivery of services. Implementation of Public Services Act and announcement of Voluntary Retirement Scheme for Government employees were also welcome initiatives, he said. (UNI)