CM to present 2026–27 outlay; Oppn pushes for Sec 39A debate
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will table the State Budget for 2026–27 on March 6, the opening day of the Budget Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly. The upcoming financial statement is likely to be the last full-fledged
Budget before the Assembly elections scheduled in early 2027.
Sawant, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present the Budget for the seventh consecutive time since 2020. He will also lay on the table the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the 2025–26 Budget, outlining the achievements and progress made during the current fiscal year.
The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar. St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, who is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the scrapping of Section 39A of the TCP Act, attended the meeting in a wheelchair. Although his fast was not discussed during the BAC meeting, the Opposition pressed for a debate on the issue in the House.
Addressing the media after the meeting, the Speaker confirmed that the Budget will be presented on March 6, followed by a general discussion. The Budget is scheduled to be passed on March 9 and 10. Discussions on Demands for Grants for individual departments will commence from March 11 onwards.
“As of now, 560 starred and 1,332 unstarred questions have been received. Fifteen Private Members’ Resolutions will be taken up,” Gaonkar said, adding that some Private Members’ Bills have been forwarded to the concerned departments for vetting.
The Speaker appealed to members to maintain decorum to ensure smooth functioning of the House. “Considering this is the last session before elections, every MLA will seek to raise key issues. It is important that proceedings are conducted in an orderly manner,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao sought permission to introduce the “Enough is Enough” draft Bill and urged the Speaker to take up “The Goa Protection of Agricultural Lands Act, 2026” Bill moved by him. Alemao also demanded a discussion on Section 39A and called for action against police personnel allegedly involved in manhandling Borkar during a protest at the TCP office last week.
“Today, some police officials are acting like street goons. Such a mentality is dangerous for society. There must be stern action,” Alemao said, demanding their termination from service.
Borkar reiterated that he had raised the issue of alleged police manhandling before the Speaker and sought a special discussion on Section 39A. “The hunger strike is my personal prerogative and will continue until my demands are met,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward Party chief and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai objected to tabling the Budget on a Friday, alleging it breaks the long-standing convention of reserving the day for Private Members’ Business. He claimed the move curtailed discussion time and avoided critical issues, including a Private Member’s Bill on land protection.
