PANAJI
The State government has dropped three Budget assurances made for 2025-26 ” introduction of a single-point taxation system for liquor, granting State festival status to the Devi Lairai Zatra, and augmentation of Bondwal lake to supply 30 MLD raw water ” citing administrative reasons.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant tabled the Action Taken Report (ATR) on the Budget 2025-26 assurances in the Legislative Assembly on Friday. A total of 643 assurances were made when the Budget was presented in March last year.
“Out of 643 Budget assurances, 640 ” that is 99.53 per cent ” have been completed or initiated and are likely to be completed soon. Only three Budget assurances have been dropped due to various administrative reasons,” the ATR stated.
According to the report, the proposal for a single-point taxation system for liquor was mooted by the Excise Department. The Directorate of Art and Culture had proposed granting State festival status to the Devi Lairai Zatra at Shirgao along with facilities for devotees. Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department had proposed supplying 30 MLD of raw water for Panaji and the surrounding areas by augmenting the Bondwal lake through the TIP canal.
The ATR further stated that the Goa Housing Board has appointed a consultant to draft a comprehensive policy for developing and implementing an affordable housing scheme. The Board has also identified government land measuring 96,512 sq m under Survey No. 90/2 at Parcem in Pernem taluka for the project.
Among the initiatives completed or implemented are the reintroduction of the one-time settlement scheme for VAT legacy disputes, revamping of the Mhaji Bus scheme, construction of the Coastal Security Police Station at Chapora, an online inventory management system, hot-mixing and widening of various roads, and an increase in the honorarium of Panch members by Rs 1,000 and of Sarpanchs and Zilla Panchayat members by Rs 2,000. The ATR also lists the Unified Pension Scheme from 2025-26 and the Mhaje Ghar policy aimed at providing land rights to eligible Goans.
The report notes that several sewerage projects are nearing completion. About 95 per cent of the sewer network has been laid in Curti, while 85 per cent has been completed in Bandora. In Sanquelim Phase II, 40.8 km of sewer network has already been laid, and work on the sewage treatment plant is underway, with civil works currently 75 per cent complete in Porvorim. Nearly 95 per cent of the sewer network in Navelim has been completed, with 32 km out of the planned 101 km already commissioned. Sewerage works in Colva have also reached 95 per cent completion.
The government is also exploring the possibility of conserving and restoring the Cabo de Rama Fort in Phase I through NBCC (India) Ltd, as approved by the State, ATR said, adding a proposal to declare Chandor as a heritage village is awaiting government consent.
