PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday presented the 2026 27 budget that pegs government spending for the year at Rs 30,195 crore.
Sawant, who began his over two and a half-hour speech by warning that the global turmoil in West Asia could hurt Goa’s economy, had dozens of populist initiatives including new schemes and enhancing payouts to beneficiaries of existing ones.
According to the 2025-26 Economic Survey report which Sawant had tabled in the House, hours before he presented the budget, pegged Goa’s public debt at Rs 30,945.32 crore (estimate) as of March 31, 2026.
Sawant while presenting the budget projected the receipts for the 2026-27 fiscal at Rs 29,181 crore and claimed a revenue surplus of Rs 1,666 crore.
'Double-engine boon'
Sawant stressed that Goa got Rs 2,078 crore in "special central assistance" for infrastructure, the highest ever that the State has received, insisting that this was possible only because of the 'double-engine' governments, referring to the politically aligned Central government.
Sectoral allocations
Sawant's budget allocates Rs 1,897 for the Public Works Department (PWD). This includes Rs 1,300 crore for ongoing and new infrastructure projects with each constituency will see Rs 100 crore worth of works cleared as per priorities set by local MLAs.
Sawant also said roads and bridges will see Rs 1,237 crore for upgrades and maintenance, with utility ducts mandated in all new roads.
The Department of Drinking Water (DDW) has been allocated Rs 1,009 crore, a nearly 25 percent increase in allocations over the current year. Sawant said the money will be utilized to replace old pipelines in phases, with automation of supply systems.
He said, major projects will be taken up in Bicholim, Canacona and Cuncolim in addition to laying a dedicated pipeline from Verna to Bambolim to address shortages in Tiswadi taluka.
Education
The proposed Integrated College complex at Dona Paula to house six institutions, including colleges of Pharmacy, Home Science, Fine Art, Music, Architecture and Education found mention in Sawant's speech.
New ITIs will also be commissioned at Sanguem and Dharbandora, besides a . drone Remote Pilot Training Centre at the Cacora ITI, Sawant said..
Sawant also announced the 'CM Udan Bharari' scheme to support women aspiring to become pilots.
An academic excellence scheme will encourage student research and all schools will be eligible for new “Bal Rath” buses to improve transport facilities for school-going children, Sawant said.
Cultural & religious projects
"The State has spent Rs 20 crore to purchase a plot of land in Ayodhya for construction of a Ram Niwas," Sawant said, adding that work will begin this year.
A Goa Yatri Bhavan will also be built at Vashi, Navi Mumbai and accommodation facilities for devotees will be created at Pandharpur and Velankanni.
Other announcements
The Goa Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development (GIPARD) will receive Rs 15 crore, Sawant said and also unveiled Vision Kushawati, a blueprint for development of the recently notified third district.
Sawant’s marathon speech which even outbeat Union Finance Minister's budget speech in Parliament earlier last month, was packed with allocations and promises, clearly designed as an election year statement.
Assembly polls are due in March 2027 when the current five-year term of the Goa legislative assembly ends.
Opposition parties, however, are expected to challenge the government on debt levels and whether the budget’s promises will translate into delivery when the demands for grants under each budget head are taken up as promised by Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao.
For now, Sawant has set the tone with a Rs 30,195 crore spend plan -- one that seeks to balance infrastructure, welfare, and political messaging in equal measure.
