Goa to ask 16th finance panel for Rs 28,000cr for development

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said state govt will put up a demand before the 16th Finance Commission for the allocation of Rs 28,000 crore to Goa to take up various developmental projects.
Sawant directed govt departments to prepare state-specific project proposals to be presented to the 16th Finance Commission, led by chairman Arvind Panagariya, on Jan 9 and 10.
“The tourism department has prepared a proposal of Rs 1,693 crore, education department Rs 1,536 crore, health department Rs 631 crore, power department Rs 4,160 crore, green energy Rs 7,350 crore, public works Rs 5,460 crore, WRD (including for agricultural purposes) Rs 3,401 crore, disaster management Rs 1,982 crore, waste management Rs 733 crore, and climate change Rs 379 crore,” Sawant said.
“We will make a detailed presentation before the commission and explain to it that a floating population of more than one crore visits the state. To date, the state has been allocated funds based on area and population, as Goa did not fit the criteria, but with a detailed presentation we hope we get around 1% quantum of funds,” Sawant said.
Goa wants the finance ministry to increase the state’s share in the untied quantum of funds to at least 1%. The 15th Finance Commission recommended that Goa be given 0.386%. The state continuously spent more on capital expenditure, Sawant said.
He also said that members of the commission will meet political parties.
Sawant, who chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the preparations for the upcoming visit of the 16th Finance Commission said the final presentation of project details by all departments will be made on Monday. Key discussions focused on the presentations to be made on behalf of the state, highlighting financial requirements, state-specific project proposals, and enhanced funding for disaster management, he said.
During the review meeting with secretaries and heads of departments (HoDs), Sawant assessed the financial progress of key departments, reviewed revenue generation and departmental expenditure, and the status of ongoing infrastructure projects across the state.
Sawant urged Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to ensure that special assistance to states for capital investment continues in the coming financial year. He also told the Centre to provide financial assistance of around Rs 9,000 crore to take up various developmental works.