PANAJI: With merely a year to go for the assembly elections, the state budget chief minister Pramod Sawant is all set to present on Wednesday could be a blend of election promises and revenue generation for the state that is grappling with a financial crisis in the current pandemic times.
Sawant’s budget is likely to focus on the road map for the state during the next one year, while revolving around the concept of Swayampurna Goa.
“I will present the budget at 2.30pm on Wednesday,” Sawant told reporters at the ministerial block, after the cabinet meeting.
When asked what his budget would focus on, Sawant said, “I cannot reveal everything today (Tuesday). Wait for Wednesday.”
With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and the state is facing a financial crisis, it would be interesting to see how the chief minister balances his budget between election promises and financial management of the state.
A political observer said that Sawant could present an election-oriented budget to lure all sections of the society ahead of assembly polls. It would be interesting to see if Sawant reduces the VAT on petrol to give some relief to common man, he said.
“His budget could be also development-oriented and focusing on employment generation, as the state will face elections in the next year,” the political observer said.
During the legislative assembly’s 13-day working session, the state government will answer around 1,571 questions - including 568 starred and 1,003 unstarred.
The government will also introduce six bills before the assembly session ends on April 16.
A senior officer said that they have received three private member bills and they are expecting some more. Besides discussion on bills and question hour, calling attention and zero hour motions will also be part of the session.
While there are no major issues in the state, the opposition will try to corner the treasury benches on the Mhadei water dispute, Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), mining, coal handling and the three linear projects at Mollem, which include double tracking, widening of the national highway and the Tamnar power transmission line.
During the last assembly session, the debate on the three linear stretched past midnight, however, the government did not give any assurance.