MARGAO
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday announced that his government has prepared a plan to repay the debt liability amounting to a whopping Rs 30,000 crore in the next three years.
Asserting that the financial health of the state is strong and stable, the Chief Minister said the government will continue to invest in the upgradation of infrastructure across the state.
He announced plans to upgrade the Collectorate and Mamlatdar offices in the eight talukas in the next one year and unveiled further plans to shift the Pharmacy college, College of Architecture and Home Sciences in spacious buildings.
The Chief Minister reminded that Goa is eligible to take loan up to a ceiling of Rs 4,200 crore in the current financial year as per central government guidelines. He, however, hastened to add that the government has not availed any loan facility so far this year.
“Last year, Goa was eligible to take loans up to Rs 3,200 crrore, but the government availed loan amounting to the region of Rs 2,500 crore”, he said after laying the foundation stone for a new building for the Fatorda police station and police staff quarters estimated to cost Rs 22 crore in the presence of Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and the police top brass.
Referring to Sardesai’s remark that the government is burdened with heavy debt amounting to a whopping Rs 30,000 crore, Sawant said “As the Chief Minister, I am very much concerned about the debt. But, I have a plan in place to repay the debt in the next three years. As per the plan, we will pay the loan as well as the interest and will also continue to invest in infrastructure”, he said, adding “the government availS loans to invest in infrastructure, public safety such as police stations and community wellness”.
Saying his government in thinking of infrastructural development in all the 12 talukas, the CM said barring Tiswadi, Salcete and the newly-formed Dharbandora, the infrastructure in the remaining taluka administrative headquarters is craving for attention. “The government has proposed to upgrade the infrastructure in these eight talukas not just for the deputy collectors, Mamlatdar and officials and staff, but for the benefit of the common man”, he added.
While complimenting Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai for continuously following with the government the police station projects and the Multipurpose School complex, Borda, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to upgrade the Borda complex, including new building for ITI and college.
“I have not come here to impress the Fatorda MLA, but it is a fact that Sardesai has been doing the follow up with the government to get projects expedited”, he said.
In his address, the Fatorda MLA thanked the Chief Minister for the police station building project, even he has made a plea to Sawant to strengthen vigilance system through CCTV mechanism and tone up city bus service in Fatorda.
