PANAJI
Goa got a bonanza from the Union budget for 2021-22 in the form a Rs 300 crore grant to celebrate 60 years of Liberation.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the announcement in her budget speech delivered in Parliament on Monday.
Sitharaman said: “Goa is celebrating diamond jubilee year of state’s liberation from Portuguese rule. From the Government of India’s side, I propose to grant Rs 300 crore to Government of Goa for the celebrations.”
The Rs 300 crore granted is way above the Rs 100 crore sought by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Sawant thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sitharaman for acceding to his request.
"I thank the Hon PM Shri @narendramodiji, FM Smt @nsitharamanji for the allocation of Rs 300 Cr in the budget to mark 60 Years of Goa's Liberation. I also thank the Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShahji for his continued guidance and support. #AatmanirbharBharatKaBudget," Sawant said in a tweet.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Rs 300 crore would be spent on various works related to infrastructure, human development, giving facelift to various places of historic significance related to freedom struggle etc.
The fund will also be utilized for the benefit of marginalised people who have been hit by Covid Pandemic, he added. “The money will not be spent only on celebrations.”
The Congress welcomed the allocation but cautioned Sawant to spend the money wisely.
Opposition Leader Digamber Kamat advised the government to spare Rs 100 crore for a package for marginalised Goans facing economic distress due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another Congress leader, Ramakant Khalap said he hoped the money will be spent "wisely" also on infrastructure instead of splurging it merely on 'celebrations'.
"We are happy that the money has been given to Goa. Infrasturcture should be created for the benefit of the people from this Rs. 300 crore. The money should not be utilised just to organise meetings and celebrations," Khalap said.
