The government presented fresh supplementary demands in the assembly, gaining approval for an additional expenditure of Rs 961.4 crore in the current financial year.
Addressing concerns over fiscal management, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant clarified that this additional spending would not affect the state’s fiscal deficit. Out of the total, Rs 370 crore involves a book adjustment, transferring funds from government accounts to the electricity department for power bill payments.
Sawant emphasised that the actual increase is Rs 460.9 crore, and departments have surrendered funds, ensuring no rise in the overall budget size or fiscal deficit.
The opposition criticised the government for poor fund allocation estimates, with opposition leader Yuri Alemao stating it reflects bad economics and fiscal management.
GFP president Vijai Sardesai expressed concern about misplaced priorities, suggesting the government spent more than budgeted. He urged the government to stop wasteful expenditure and fulfill pending assurances instead.
While the opposition argued that seeking supplementary grants worsens the debt to GSDP ratio, Sawant assured that Goa is within the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) limits.
He highlighted that the state has borrowed Rs 1,300 crore out of the permissible Rs 4,500 crore this year, and loans have been restructured for cheaper interest rates.
