PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed the House on Thursday that the State government has utilized nearly 20.3% of its full-year budget during the first quarter, ending in June, while successfully implementing 10% of its assurances.
Speaking on the Budget, Sawant announced the upcoming launch of a Dump Mining policy, enabling e-auction of iron ore rejects scattered across various lease-bound areas.
He reasserted the State's commitment not to compromise on the Mhadei river diversion issue, personally overseeing the case.
Sawant highlighted the initiation of various initiatives and reforms proposed in the Budget by government departments. He expressed confidence that the entire 100% budget allocation would be utilized, and all assurances would be fulfilled by the end of the financial year.
Out of the total budget of Rs 26,844 crore, the State spent Rs 4,500 crore on revenue expenditure and Rs 950 crore on capital expenditure until June. This accounts for approximately 20.3% of the total budget size.
Regarding the 329 assurances made in the Budget, 32 have been successfully implemented within three months, constituting 10% of the total assurances. The implementation of the remaining 175 assurances is currently in progress.
Addressing concerns raised by the Opposition regarding borrowings, Sawant, who handles finance portfolios, reassured that State borrowings have remained within the prescribed limit. For the financial year 2022-23, the State borrowed only Rs 1,850 crore from the market, well below the limit of Rs 3,585 crore. So far this year, the State has borrowed Rs 630 crore against the borrowing limit of over Rs 4,000 crore. Additionally, Sawant mentioned that Rs 670 crore was borrowed from SIDBI and Rs 550 crore from NABARD last year for infrastructure and tourism.
Regarding the resumption of mining activities, Sawant assured that they will resume once revenue starts coming in this financial year. Nine mining blocks have already been auctioned, and the successful bidders are expediting the process to obtain necessary permissions for resuming mining activities.
The CM acknowledged the water scarcity experienced in some parts of the State during the summer season. He pledged to ensure that every household receives a minimum of two hours of water daily by December 2024.
Sawant also announced the introduction of a green cess on non-Goa registered vehicles entering the State to fund infrastructure creation and maintenance.
On employment, Chief Minister Sawant shared that 10% of jobs in the departments of fire, forest, and police would be reserved for those serving through the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC) once they complete three years of service.