PANAJI
The Goa Budget 2026“27 has allocated Rs 270 crore for the Department of Art and Culture. Announcing the provisions, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said a new scheme, Mukhyamantri Varkari Sahay Yojana, will be launched to support Varkari groups who undertake the annual walking pilgrimage to Pandharpur. Financial assistance will be provided under the scheme, for which a provision of Rs 1 crore has been made.
As a tribute to noted Goan artist and Bharat Ratna awardee Lata Mangeshkar, the existing scheme that provides financial assistance to groups promoting art and culture will be renamed the Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar Financial Aid Scheme, the Chief Minister said.
The Kala Sanman Yojana will be renamed LayBhaskar Khaprumam Parvatkar Art Sanman Yojana, in honour of renowned Goan percussionist Khaprumam Parvatkar. An improved version of the scheme will be implemented and the financial assistance provided under it will be increased from this year.
Dr Sawant also announced that the second phase of construction of the Curchorem Ravindra Bhavan will be completed this year at a cost of Rs 25.43 crore. Land has already been identified for Ravindra Bhavans at Sanguem and Pernem, and construction of these facilities will begin this year.
With support from the Central government, all 168 libraries across gram panchayats and municipalities in Goa will be renovated at a cost of Rs 74.50 crore.
A provision of Rs 15 crore has been made for museums. The Goa State Museum at the Old Secretariat in Panaji will be renovated and additional galleries will be added. Construction of a new building for the Goa State Museum at Ela in Old Goa will also begin this year.
The budget has also proposed an annual subsidy of Rs 1 lakh for all private museums in the State.
