the goan I network
PANAJI
Saddled with the economically back-breaking halt to the iron ore mining sector, the Goa government on Wednesday formally sought a ‘special financial package’ from the Centre and cited a nearly Rs 1,400 crore revenue loss due to the near shutdown in the industry since March 2018.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant made the plea on Wednesday when he met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi for the pre-budget consultations the latter is holding with all States.
In the meeting with Sitharaman, the Goa chief minister argued that the State has lost revenues to the tune of Rs 1400 crores since March 2018, when operations in the sector came to a standstill after a Supreme Court judgement which held all the 88 in-operation mining leases illegal and held them invalid.
The State’s financial position is said to be precarious with much of its revenue inflows getting gobbled up in routine expenditure such as salaries, interest payments and other statutory expenditure leaving very little if any funds for developmental or welfare spending.
Government sources said, Sawant has sought a special financial package to help the State overcome the colossal revenue losses since March 2018, which he pegged at Rs 1,400 crore.
Sawant also asked Sitharaman to help Goa with central schemes to promote hinterland tourism projects and also meet the challenges of meeting the infrastructural
requirements of the fast growing tourism sector.
The Union finance minister was also asked to consider fund allocation to Goa in the budget for setting up the Convention Centre needed for the International Film Festival of India and to develop the State as a hub in education and health.
Meanwhile, Sawant also called on the beleagured Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been the target of nationwide protests following the passage of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act which barring Muslims, provides refugees of most of the other religions a window to attain Indian citizenship.
“Met Hon’ble Union Home Minister Amit Shah ji in New Delhi today and updated him on Goa issues and sought his guidance,” Sawant said in a post on his Twitter handle.
