GOA CM HAILS UNION BUDGET, OPPOSITION SAYS IT IS PRO-CRONY
PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Deputy Chief Minister Babu Kavlekar hailed the Union Budget 2021-2022 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while, opposition Congress Party said Budget was pro-crony, capitalist and anti-common man.
Sawant thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sitharaman for allocation of Rs 300 crore in the budget to mark 60 years of Goa’s liberation. He said 60 years of Goa’s liberation is a significant milestone in India’s rich history and added that the funds will be utilized for human and infrastructure development and for honouring freedom fighters.
Sawant said budget will lay a strong foundation for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which will bring positive changes in the lives of our people. The budget is designed keeping in mind the development of all sectors including infrastructure, healthcare and education.
Deputy CM Chandrakant `Babu’ Kavlekar too thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modiji and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ji for granting Rs 300 crore to Goa’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
“The budget announced today has a vision of making Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The BJP Government didn’t just announce the policies, it is walking the talk by following up with today’s announcements. Healthcare, infrastructure and education will get a new boost in this year”, Kavlekar said.
Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat said that the budget has absolutely nothing to uplift the common man and the marginalised sector from the huge financial burdens on them after the collapse of economy post breakdown of COVID pandemic. The economically weaker section is completely let down by the Government with most of the budget proposals focusing on pro–crony capitalist schemes, he said.
Although the Union Finance Minister has announced grants of Rs 300 crores for 60 years celebrations of Goa’s liberationa, Kamat demanded that the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must immediately announce a package of Rs 100 crore for the revival of marginalised sector such as traditional occupationists like yellow and black motorcycle pilots, autorickshaws, pickups and tempo drivers, khajekars, fulkars *flower vendors), chanekars, render and poders, kakankars, nustekars, mechanics, barbers, cobblers and others who were all anxiously awaiting financial package from the Government.
Kamat also mentioned that there were no likely chances of fuel prices coming down in the near future.
There is nothing with regards to generating employment to the youth in the budget and there is no focus on revival of MSME sector, Kamat said adding that the budget appears to be an election propaganda package for three States of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerela going to polls in next few months.
Slamming the budget, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar said though the Government claimed budget as 100% Paperless in realities it was 100% headless exercise and will make common man and people of country suffer.
Chodankar said that people of Goa will have to be vigilant and keep a close watch on spendings of government, in regards to Rs 300 crore grants. “You never know this BJP government may use this money for progress of their party, depriving needy people,” he said.
“We had demanded Rs 100 crore to help every common man who suffered due to COVID and financial mismanagement by BJP government in Goa. Modi government has ignored sufferings of Goans.” Chodankar said.
The Congress president further said that there were no measures to alleviate problems faced by youths and people of this country. People are tired of hollow speeches and promises, he said.