Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s budget for the financial year 2026-27 reflects a strategic and calculated approach, one that has skilfully measured populism and a cautious fiscal balance. This is Sawant’s last budget of this term, and while the State heads into a crucial Assembly election, an election high on stakes, one expected the CM to shower goodies, doles, and extravagant schemes to fill the poll vault.
However, Sawant showed subdued ambition and opted for a broad, inclusive sweep across sectors without making over-the-top promises. The nuanced approach shows an emphasis on stability and incremental progress over risky, headline-grabbing initiatives, although the revenue surplus of Rs 1,166 crore remains debatable. And once again, as admitted by the CM in his opening remarks, the State continues to be heavily dependent on the Centre with Rs 2,078 crore in infrastructure aid alone, the highest ever.
The CM has adopted a subtle touch targeting key sectors with strategic enhancements. Welfare schemes such as DDSY, Griha Aadhar, and Ladli Lakshmi have been given a boost, emphasising social security and inclusive growth, but he has refrained from defining these doles. The extension of Sarkar Tumcha Dari with all services at the doorstep from this year, an increase in Atal Asra Yojana aid from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, free adult vaccination for 50,000 elderly citizens, sanitary pads for schoolgirls, reservation for orphans in govt jobs, special quota in educational institutions to support reflect a commitment to vulnerable and marginalised groups. That’s the feel-good touch.
The budget has also attempted to touch the vexed issue of unemployment through direct and indirect measures. The announcement of filling up another 2,500 vacancies via the Goa Staff Selection Commission’s route, along with the launch of new academic schemes and vocational training programmes like drone pilot institutes and technical courses, aim to create a skilled workforce—an encouraging step towards private sector employment. The assurance of compensatory support for private sector employment is another positive.
The government continues to bet big on infrastructure. The PWD gets a Rs 1,897 crore allocation while the Drinking Water Department gets Rs 1,009 crore. Projects like the Margao railway station footbridge, river desilting, and the development of Vasco and Mopa are carefully phased, reflecting a cautious but steady push towards urban and rural development. The government’s emphasis on promoting green energy—such as the Veda solar scheme and encouraging green cooking in rural areas—indicates an awareness of environmental priorities without making exaggerated claims.
On the financial front, the government’s debt remains high at Rs 30,945 crore, and while Sawant mentions that his borrowing is well within limits, it still does not sound convincing. The CAG reports in the past have warned that the State has been breaching statutory debt figures every year since 2019. Another downside is that the government spends nearly 60 per cent of its total revenue in salaries, social welfare schemes, pensions and interest payments, making it difficult to meet developmental goals on its own.
Sawant’s budget has calibrated elections, progress, development and welfare of citizens with deft touches. It’s strategic and smart, no doubt. It only remains to be seen how Sawant executes what is being promised. Time will tell.
