Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said Goa’s devolution of central taxes for the 2025-26 financial year has risen to Rs 5,490.62 crore, marking an increase of Rs 523 crore compared to Rs 4,967.33 crore in 2024-25.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Mantralaya, Sawant emphasised that the government will focus on promoting ‘Heal in India’ medical tourism and leverage opportunities from the support announced for air cargo to establish Goa as a logistics hub, thanks to its two operational airports.
The Chief Minister described the Union budget as “pro-people,” particularly benefiting the middle class, hailing the financial document as a visionary step towards achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Sawant also announced that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has agreed to continue the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme, which provides 50-year interest-free loans, for the 2025-26 financial year with an outlay of Rs 1.50 lakh crore.
He revealed that Goa had availed Rs 1,185.17 crore from this scheme up to January.
The Chief Minister highlighted several other benefits bestowed by the budget, including an increase in the Krishi Credit Card loan limit to Rs 5 lakh, which will benefit over 17,500 farmers in Goa.
Additionally, the Union budget raised the credit limit for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore, which is expected to benefit MSEs in the state.
A new credit scheme for startups targeting five lakh tribal women entrepreneurs will also support tribal women in the state.
Sawant pointed out that the introduction of day care cancer centres in district hospitals would benefit Goa, and more than 3,000 street vendors in the state would benefit from the revamped PM Svanidhi scheme, with increased credit limits and credit cards.
The key budget announcement – the upgradation of 50 top tourism destinations – will boost Goa’s tourism industry, he said, adding that the increase in MUDRA loan limits for homestays will also benefit Goa.
The state will also benefit from the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission, export promotion initiatives, ‘cross-border factoring support’, and assistance to MSMEs, all aimed at positioning Goa as an export hub.
Additionally, the Chief Minister noted that Goa’s medical education will see a boost with the creation of 10,000 new medical seats nationwide, which will increase the number of seats at Goa Medical College.
The media briefing was also attended by Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai, and MLA Antonio Vas.
