PANAJI
Amid uproar and protests from the Opposition benches, the Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the State Budget for 2026-27, with grants worth Rs 23,868 crore -- nearly 79 per cent of the total outlay -- being cleared without discussion, after the government decided to curtail the ongoing Budget Session following the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct in South Goa ahead of the Ponda by-election.
The House also passed 79 demands for grants without debate, triggering sharp criticism from the Opposition, which alleged that the government had denied them the opportunity to raise key public issues during the budgetary exercise.
The 79 key demands that went unanswered included those on tourism, water resources, home and police, Mines and Geology, power, civil supplies, environment, social welfare, drinking water, fisheries, tribal welfare, sports, etc
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant refused to opt for a Vote on Account and instead pushed for the passage of the full Budget, citing extraordinary circumstances arising out of the election code as well as the upcoming municipal elections. The Budget was passed amid strong protests by Opposition MLAs, who were later marshalled out of the House.
During the proceedings, Opposition MLAs rushed to the Well of the House and raised slogans against the government. As the House continued with the Budget passage, the protesting members shouted “shame, shame” before they were ordered to be marshalled out.
Defending the decision, Sawant said the government had decided to curtail the ongoing Budget Session and convene a Monsoon Session in August“September, where the Opposition would get an opportunity to raise their issues.
“The government has decided to curtail the Budget Session and convene a Monsoon Session later. With the by-election and upcoming municipal elections, we have decided to pass the full State Budget instead of opting for a Vote on Account,” the Chief Minister said.
“This is an election year and we will get time only till December as elections are scheduled late. We need to take up developmental works and hence it was necessary to pass the entire Budget,” he said.
He added that similar situations had occurred in other States and even in Parliament where full Budgets were passed under extraordinary circumstances.
However, the decision drew sharp criticism from the Opposition. Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai termed the move an “injustice to the Opposition”, pointing out that 79 per cent of the Budget had been passed without discussion.
“Nearly Rs 23,868 crore worth of grants were cleared without debate. Demands for grants are meant for MLAs to raise issues and ensure solutions both physically and financially. By not opting for a Vote on Account, the government has denied the Opposition its democratic right,” Sardesai said.
