Govt implemented 90% of budget proposals, says CM

PANAJI: Promising a realistic budget, chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said that the government has managed to meet the goals of the 2022-23 budget and has succeeded in meeting 90% of its expenditure targets.
The state budget for 2023-24 will focus on the ongoing efforts to make Goa self-reliant, said Sawant. The chief minister held a review meeting and deliberations on the coming budget with various heads of departments to understand the views and requirements of various sectors.
"For the first time we had a detailed budget exercise with the heads of departments and the accountants. First, we took a review of the previous budget. What we found is that in 98% we have been able to achieve the revenue receipts targets. You will see that the government has been able to implement 90% of the budget in the current financial year," said Sawant after the meeting.
The chief minister has asked the department heads to identify schemes and funds that have been announced by the Centre so that the state government can implement projects in the state using central funds. "I have set the target of availing maximum benefit out of centrally-sponsored schemes. The state will carry out schemes on priority areas like education, healthcare, sanitation and tribal welfare," said Sawant.
The budget session of the Goa Legislative Assembly is slated to be held from March 27."The coming budget will be based on the principles of Swayampurna Goem (self-reliant Goa) and will focus on skilling. We will stress on ensuring that the poorest of the poor benefit from the budget implementation," said the chief minister.
He said that contrary to critics who say that the government doesn't spend enough on the upliftment of tribals, the state has made significant provisions for tribal welfare.
He said that despite the Centre phasing out GST compensation Goa has succeeded in implementing the budget proposals. "We achieved the revenue targets without putting additional burden on people," said Sawant.
He also said that he will make budget provisions for the G20 delegate meetings in Goa and the 37th National Games being held in the state in October-November.