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<u>Goa Budget</u><br>Plan expenditure to rise 30%
By Dr. M.S. Kapadia
The revenue deficit of the Goa government, which had declined from Rs 167 crore in 2002-03 to Rs 91.6 crore in 2003-04, is budgeted to drop further to Rs 8 crore in 2004-05. The revenue receipt would rise 14 per cent and the revenue expenditure at around half this rate. The government's resource mobilisation initiatives include hike in fees and deposits for operation of gambling activities. The Gross fiscal deficit (GFD) is expected to escalate from Rs 430 crore in 2003-04 to Rs 506 crore in the current year due to the 30 per cent rise in capital expenditure.
The total Plan expenditure will be Rs 906 crore, up 30 per cent. Capital and revenue expenditures will both contribute to this growth. Some of the project proposals in the state budget are as follows:
- Feasibility/execution of bridges at Galgibag, Talpona, Diwar-Vanxi, Devji Old Goa to Kalto and
Bicholim.
- Pre-feasibility studies for upgradation of mining roads in Saunguem, Quepem and Bicholim taluka under progress.
- Sidheswar temple at Kaisua along with surrounding areas to be developed as a tourist spot, with a budget provision of Rs 6 crore. Mini kala bhavans at six places and Kalagram at Xic-Xelvona in Curchorem to be taken up as part of an integrated tourist circuit.
- Works for construction of road overbridges and under-bridges at level crossings in Margao, Majorda and Cansaulim were tendered. The PWD gets Rs 123 crore for upgradation, development and maintenance of various roads and bridges.
- Project for augmenting water supply to Quepem taluka to be taken up to ensure adequate water supply to Margao and Vasco. The seven-year annuity based project would cost around Rs 70
crore.
- A comprehensive plan is being prepared to provide sewage connections. An amount of Rs 1 crore has been provided for share capital of the Sewage Development Corporation. Further, a project for restructuring of water and sanitation in the state is also being taken up with technical assistance under the World Bank's water and sanitation programme. The outlay for water supply and sanitation for the year is Rs 90
crore.
- Land acquisition is in progress for the new international airport at Mopa. A sum of Rs 5 crore has been provided for this purpose.
- Construction of eight bhandaras, two barrages and a dam and weir-cum-bhandara in
Madei.
- Power distribution networks in North Goa and South Goa to be upgraded under APDRP scheme at a cost of Rs 114 crore. The conversion of overhead electrical network to underground network in Panaji and Margao are being taken up under APDRP at an estimated Rs 68 crore.
(01-15 Sept 2004)
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