Porvorim: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday passed the state budget on the floor of the House amidst noisy scenes by the opposition benches.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat had moved “Adjournment Motion” on the floor of the House in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, which was not admitted by the Speaker, following which the opposition benches rushed to the well.
While opposition benches including members of Congress, Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party and an Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte continued pressing for their demand of Adjournment Motion, the Chief Minister passed the Budget estimated to be of Rs 22,000 crores.
Sawant said that the government was ready to make statement on COVID-19 after the business in the House is taken up. The opposition members, however, demanded that the passing of Budget be deferred to next date.
Speaker of the Assembly while refusing to admit the Adjournment Motion said that such a motion can be allowed only when there is a failure on the part of the government.
Making a statement on Budget, Sawant said that the Budget that was presented on the floor of the House (in February) was an estimated one.
“We had to curtail the number of days of the current session due to COVID-19 pandemic. We know about the challenges that is posed to us due to the covid-19 situation,” he said.
“We have to pass the estimated budget considering the requirements to tackle coronavirus,” he said.
Sawant said that after the unlocking of the industrial sector, the state has been gaining the revenue.
“We are optimistic that the economic situation will normalize in the days to come,” he added.
The House also passed the financial business during the session.
