PANAJI
Launching an offensive on the BJP-led State government, Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane on Thursday hit out stating that it is a misconception that debt trap is only due to mining ban. Speaking in the House, Rane said, “Mining has halted certain income. However, the GSTP has increased by 1.66% despite mining ban. Debt cannot be attributed only to mining and mining ban did not bring the economy to a halt.” Questioning the credibility of budgetary figures and projections, Rane sought to highlight that while the budget 2015-16 boasted surplus of Rs 408 crore, the budget in the very next year reported a revenue deficit of Rs 137 crore.
He criticised the government for heavy borrowings to service debts, pay staff salaries and to fuel welfare schemes and pointed out that people are already feeling the pinch with the rise in taxation and tariffs. “Nothing is coming free to the common man. Indirect taxation and tariffs on basic amenities have shot up nullifying effect of freebies. Why can t we do away with these freebies? Do the people appreciate freebies on the backdrop of rising rates?” Rane demanded to know.
Ponda MLA from MGP Lavoo Mamledar also weighed in and sought an answer from the government over the issue of loans. “Will we depend only on loans. Will mining restart soon? How long will we survive while availing loans?” Mamledar said. The Opposition also pushed the government to take the issue of Goods and Service Tax (GST) seriously. “Implications of GST have to be made clear. How much will we be affected and the extent of shortfall has to be calculated,” Rane said. Terming GST as the most important economic reform , Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho called upon the government to calculate the impact of GST on Goa.
