PANAJI
The Opposition expressed strong doubts regarding the government's repeated assurance to resume mining with Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardesai claiming it will be a disappointment this fiscal year as well.
Sardesai, who led the discussions on the State Budget 2023-24 on behalf of the United Opposition, asserted that mining would not restart this year, despite the government projecting over a thousand crores in revenue from the sector.
“Out of the total budgeted non-tax revenue receipts of Rs 6,026 crores, more than Rs 1,000 crore is expected from mining. It is widely known that mining cannot commence in this financial year, which means that 17 per cent of the estimated non-tax revenue inflow will not materialise,” he stated.
Sardesai criticised the government stating that if mining does not resume as indicated in the Budget, it will transform the revenue surplus into a deficit of more than Rs 300 crore.
He further debunked the government’s claims of making efforts to resume mining, pointing out that they had done nothing substantial apart from auctioning mineral blocks.
“Given the current situation, I humbly request the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to withdraw the statement and revise the budget figures, as it is evident that this is not a revenue surplus budget but a revenue deficit,” Sardesai emphasized.
On the other hand, Independent Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye dismissed these concerns while highlighting the positive aspects of the Budget.
“Mining activity will resume within three months. One mineral block is scheduled for a public hearing next month to obtain environmental clearance. As of now, three companies have paid approximately Rs 45 crore each, resulting in around Rs 140 crore generated through these auctions,” he added.
