Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday presented the state budget providing incentives for the tourism entrepreneurs setting up their starred hotels in rural Goa, incentive for the food processing industry, stress on skilling and emphasises on the educational sector.
In one of the major announcement, state government also announced Dindi Utsav from Margao and Shree Lairai Jatra at Shirgao as state festivals.
He read the budget stored on the iPad in three languages — English, Konkani and Marathi, shifting between the languages according to the announcements.
The CM presented the budget with GSDP at current price for the FY 2025-26 is projected at Rs 1,38,624.84 crore with growth of 14.27 per cent and per capita income projected to be Rs 9.69 lakh with growth of 13.2 per cent.
Sawant said that State government is working to achieve a dream of “Vikasit Goa” 2037, a ten years before the 2047 target.
He announced that all the government vacancies would be filled through Staff Selection Commission on fast track basis. The Budget has also earmarked Rs 15 crore earmarked for Goa Public Service Commission.
The CM Fellowship scheme was extended to the Goans working in research and development in private companies.
It was announced that the Government will implement Unified Pension scheme for govt servants from FY 25-26; pension will be released directly from the state treasury.
Rs 2,100 crore has been earmarked for the school education while Rs 19 crore for CM CARES scheme to teach coding and robotics in the schools.
In yet another announcement, Rs 20,000 worth kit for the student who have passed NSQF in twelfth standard to help him create self employment.
All the labs in the schools would be upgraded.
He said that the work of repairing all the schools will be completed before the monsoon.
The CM announced plans to strengthen the state’s college infrastructure, including the college of theater. A mega college campus will be built in Panaji, which will house the College of Pharmacy and the College of Music and others.
Sawant assured seamless delivery of services to beneficiaries under the Aadhar Scheme in his budget speech.
He also announced Rs 129 crore budget for the Technical sector, promising creative changes to drive innovation and growth.
Goa’s Chief Minister has announced a significant allocation of funds to boost infrastructure development across the state. Each MLA will receive Rs 100 crore to complete works in their respective constituencies, while the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) will undertake various projects worth Rs 640 crore this financial year.
He has allocated Rs103 crores to the skill sector, focusing on enhancing skills of rural youth.
Rs1208 crores will be allocated to reinstate the roads that were dug up for laying water and electricity lines, which will include ducts for common utilities. The government will not permit the roads to be dug up again.
All government offices will be painted in a uniform color.
The Budget has allocated Rs 102 crores for development of rural roads in latest budget speech.
A total of Rs 801 crore has been allocated to the Drinking Water Department. Smart water meters will be installed for water connections, and color coding will be implemented for all types of tankers.
The CM announced a 5-year ban on digging hot-mixed roads, ensuring durability and minimizing disruptions.
A budget of Rs 14 crore has been announced to encourage EV vehicles in the state, with the government offering a 50 per cent subsidy,
The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announces a new Drinking Water Department with a budget of Rs 801 crores.
He said 6000 smart meters will be installed in Panaji , and stormwater drains will be constructed on three major roads in Panaji. The assets under the Smart City project will be monetized
The CM announced Rs 159 crores budget for WRD Department, focusing on improving water sources & saving Mhadei River.
“Sustainable tourism will be boosted with the development of wayside amenities, including washrooms and cafes, along with online platforms for taxis. The cruise terminal will be bui at Mormugao , and a new jetty terminal and mini convention center will be completed by December 2026. Additionally, a drone park and hot air balloon facilities will be set up in Goa,” he said.
Chief Minister announced Rs 4131 crores budget for Power Department, focusing on enhancing power supply in coastal areas & introducing smart electricity meters.
The Chief Minister has announced that a new port terminal at Panaji jetty will be ready by August 2024, and simultaneously, dredging of Goa’s rivers will commence all over the state
Sawant announces Rs 85 crores budget for River Navigation Department, introducing 2 new Ro-Ro ferry boats & 4 additional ferry boats to enhance connectivity.
The Chief Minister announced that AI-powered detection systems for lung cases will be implemented, with various Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across the state being upgraded. Additionally, cancer and diabetes longitudinal cohorts will receive Rs 2 crore rupees in allocated funds.
The Ayush hospitals at Ribander and Dhargal are now fully operational. A proposed day care center is also in the pipeline. Furthermore, 993 crore rupees have been allocated for the establishment of satellite OPD centers for GMC across the state, and the construction of a new building block for GMC will begin soon, he said.
The Chief Minister announced in the budget that 79 crore rupees have been allocated for the development of dental colleges, which will undergo upgrades. Additionally, stipends for Doctor will be increased by 30,000 rupees. To address health and safety concerns, the setup of food stalls and Gaddis without FDA certification will be prohibited, and laboratories will be established to enforce these regulations.
Chief Minister announced Rs 79 crores budget allocation for Dental College, set to bring in new machinery and upgrade facilities.
The Chief Minister announced that the Department of Labour and Employment will be renamed to Human Resource department . Additionally, an online platform will be launched to connect plumbers, carpenters, and other skilled workers.
Goa CM Pramod Sawant announced Rs 145 crore budget for Industry & Infrastructures Dept, to establish a unified digital portal!
He announces Rs 150 crores budget for Information & Technology Department! Plans include creating drone pilots, establishing state-of-the-art data centers & centers of excellence.
A budget allocation of Rs 306 crore has been made for the Agriculture Department. The ICR Vision Document will be implemented, and agro-tourism will be promoted. Rs 30 crore has been allocated for the completion of the Khazan Band, and Krishi Ghar will be established in Quepem and Sanguem. The establishment of the Goa Cashew Board and Goa Bamboo Board has also been proposed.
Additionally, a Goa Poetry Board and Poetry Farm will be set up. The Veterinary Department has been allocated ₹7 crore, with a mobile veterinary van to address the sterilization of animals in coastal areas, said the CM.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announces Rs 72 crores budget for Fisheries Dept! Plans include upgrading all fish jetties, building a wholesale market, launching online services & constructing a new dept building.
Rs 34 crore has been allocated for handicrafts, with new machines for posters to be provided, and the promotion of Kunbi will be prioritized along with new schemes will be introduced
The Social Welfare Department has been allocated ₹562.60 crore, with ₹400 crore earmarked for DSS. Additionally, 21 department facilities will be made available online, said the CM.
The Chief Minister has announced a significant allocation of funds for two key schemes: Rs 248 crore for the Grah Adhar scheme and Rs 50 crore for the Ladli Laxmi scheme. Under these schemes, beneficiaries will receive financial assistance directly into their bank accounts on the 10th of every month. Additionally, the Chief Minister has declared a Rs 1,000 increment in the existing salary of Anganwadi workers.
Conveyor belts, forklifts, waste-reduction measures, and CCTV systems, along with necessary software, will be installed in the godowns of Civil Supplies, said the CM.
The Chief Minister announced Rs 58 crores budget allocation for Civil Supply Department, aiming to reduce wastage & implement ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ service for seamless food grain access.
Sawant announces Rs 37 crores allocation to Town and Country Planning Department, leveraging Jio Mapping to crack down on unauthorized buildings.
Rs 1100 crore has been allocated to the Home Department to strengthen the Goa Police. the implementation of a radical analyzer AI and other AI facilities, and the construction of a new police station in Chandor. Additionally, the Police Headquarters in Panaji will be reconstructed, said the CM.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announces Rs 37 crores allocation to Town and Country Planning Department, leveraging Geo Mapping to crack down on unauthorized buildings.
Rs 111 crore has been sanctioned for the Information and Publicity Department. A theme park will be developed in Goa, and a journalism club will be introduced to encourage the field. Additionally, a family pension scheme for deceased journalists will be launched, and informational calendars will be introduced, said the CM.
