PANAJI
The state government on Wednesday announced that the first phase of Mopa Airport is scheduled to be commissioned by August 2022.
Chief Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation Pramod Sawant disclosed this in response to a question posed by Poriem MLA Pratapsing Rane.
“The development of Greenfield International Airport at Mopa in Pernem taluka is in progress and the first phase is expected to be commissioned in August 2022,” the response states.
The airport is being built in 4 phases. The design capacity of phase I is 4.4 million passengers per annum (mppa) followed by 5.8 mppa, 9.4 mppa and 13.1 mppa in Phase II, Phase III and Phase IV respectively. The phase-wise development is traffic triggered upon achievement of 80 per cent traffic capacity of preceding phase. The airport has an ultimate potential of over 30 mppa.
In keeping with this plan, the Mopa Airport work 21.70 per cent complete, CM Sawant stated.
The government further informed that the acquisition of land for construction of National Highway and other connectivity with Mopa Airport is under progress. A total of 81,46,75 sq mts of land has already been acquired for the project.
In response to a question tabled by Shiroda MLA Subhash Shirodkar seeking details of employment opportunities for Goans through the project, CM Sawant said, “Around 1,500 jobs are expected to be available for Goans once the airport becomes operational. Government has already approved the setting up of the Aviation Skill Development Centre by the Concessionaire at the Airport site to impart skills and training to Goans unemployed youth to become eligible for such jobs.”
Other proposals made in the Budget ...
UPGRADE & IMPROVE POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Considering that a continuous power supply is the main requirement for the public, tourism industry as well as manufacturing units, the government plans to upgrade and improve the current power distribution system.
The underground cabling will be completed and also overhead bunch cabling in remote areas will be completed, to ensure uninterrupted quality power supply to domestic, commercial and industrial units.
INCREASE FISH PRODUCTION
There are plans to preserve the natural sources of water in the State and increase the production of fish too. Promising that the government will not work against the local fishermen, the Goa CM appealed to the traditional ramponkars to use new knowhow and technology to promote the Blue Economy in the State.
INTRODUCE HOLOGRAM ON LIQUOR BOTTLE
Mentioning that the Excise revenue collection in 2018-19 was Rs 477.67 crore, which saw a rise of 16.5 per cent over the previous year, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to plug the leakages of revenue, and proposed to introduce 'Holograms' on each liquor bottle, which would authenticate the genuineness of liquor and prevent duplication. Indian made foreign liquor, other than milk pouch, wines and beer manufactured in the State of Goa and sold in the State of Goa, for brands whose strength is below 80 U P, the excise rates have been proposed.
HIKE STAMP DUTY FROM RS 50 to RS 100
A proposal to enhance the excise duties and fees which would generate a revenue of approximately Rs 100 crore. The Chief Minister also proposed to increase the value of stamp duty for swearing on affidavit from Rs 50 to Rs 100, which was last revised in 2013. Also, a proposal to increase the notified land rates as per ‘Determination of True Market Value of Property Rules’, which were last revised in 2013, in under consideration.
The conversion fees under Land Revenue Code, which were last revised in 2016, will be increased and there is also a proposal to rationalise the categories of land on which conversion fees will be charged. The court fees under 'Goa Court-Fees Act' which were last revised in 2014, will be marginally increased.
GENERATE ADDITIONAL NON-TAX REVENUE
Expecting that this exercise will mobilise an additional revenue of about Rs 150 crore, the government is also exploring the possibility of generation of additional non-tax revenue from various means. Concluding his budget speech, the Chief Minister appealed to the people of Goa to strengthen the hands of the government. It was for the first time that the Goa government had invited suggestions from the public and got an overwhelming response, he said.
