Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, presenting the Budget on the floor of the House, announced tax incentives for investors, including those in the rural tourism sector.
Presenting the Budget during the ongoing State Legislative Assembly session on Wednesday, Sawant said that for industries and organizations ready to invest more than Rs. 5,000 crore in the State of Goa, he proposed various incentives such as full SGST reimbursement for five years.
He also announced a 50 percent waiver on Stamp Duty and Registrations, a subsidy on the supply of various amenities for a period of five years, and other similar benefits.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Finance Portfolio, presented a revenue surplus budget with the GSDP at current prices for the year 2025-26, projected at Rs. 1,38,624.86 crore, with a growth rate of 14.27 percent.
The Budget document projected Goa’s per capita income to be Rs. 9.69 lakh for the year 2025-26, portraying a robust and healthy economy.
With a special focus on the tourism sector, the Chief Minister announced that for all tourism-related infrastructure, his government will provide infrastructure support, such as electricity, water, and sewerage connections through a single-window mechanism.
“In order to promote tourism infrastructure in the Hotel and Medical Tourism sectors in the state, he proposed providing a tax holiday in the form of a 50 percent rebate on State GST, exemption from Stamp Duty and Registration, and a waiver of other processing charges to investors who set up at least a three-star category or above hotel or hospital in the hinterland talukas of Bicholim, Sanguem, Canacona, Quepem, Dharbandora, Ponda, and Sattari,” he added.
The Chief Minister in his budget pointed out that the operationalization of both airports — Dabolim Airport and Manohar International Airport — has led to an increase in tourism footfalls by 14 percent.
He said that exports of agri produce to the extent of 3,325 metric tonnes, especially baby corn, mangoes, flowers, green chilies, etc., have been done from Manohar International Airport in North Goa.
“I am pleased to inform this House that the Goa Government has received Rs. 31.51 crore as revenue share from MOPA airport in just three months, from December to February,” he said.
The Chief Minister has also proposed to launch a dedicated job portal, which will enable all companies in Goa to post their job vacancies and allow Goan candidates to receive exclusive access to all openings for the first seven days, ensuring local talent gets the first opportunity.
