Panaji: Stating that the government is firm on setting up of an ethanol project at the Sanjivani sugar factory in Usgao in Ponda taluka, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the government has introduced an online system to monitor water supply and to keep a check on the related revenue loss.
“We had floated a tender twice in the past for setting up of ethanol project. However, due to lack of response, we will now float a fresh tender within a month. Farmers can grow sugarcane, we will buy it,” he said.
Sawant was speaking in the state legislative assembly on the general discussion on Budget 2025-26. He said the budget he presented is a Swayampurna budget, much like a ‘Chavathichi Matoli’ – complete, inclusive and designed with care for all. His remark was in response to the opposition legislators who said the budget was like a packet of chips with less food and more air.
The Chief Minister said 27,000 youths have completed apprenticeship in a year in government and private sectors. He said Goa has jumped from the seventh place to the third in sustainable development, and the government has set a target to achieve the first place in sustainable development goals.
Sawant said the government will formulate a scheme this financial year for providing affordable housing to Goans.
He said the government will also grant ownership of flats to beneficiaries through the Goa Rehabilitation Board.
The Chief Minister also cleared the government stand on why it has planned to bring a legislation to regularise the houses of Goans built on government and private land. “Those houses already shown in survey plan will get a certificate from the department of revenue and local panchayats. The legislation will be tabled in this session following which nobody will be able to demolish such houses,” he said.
Sawant announced that the government has decided to implement biometric attendance for staff, including secretaries of village panchayats, from August 1. He also said the panchayat department has decided to introduce the service of online payment of house and garbage taxes.
Sawant further said that last year the Goa government received Rs 1,266 crore from the central government. He said this year, as on date, the state has received Rs 440 crore as special assistance. “After 2027, BJP again will be in power for the next five years, as people of Goa have faith in the party,” he said.
“Goa’s fiscal strength continues to be recognised nationally, with NITI Aayog affirming the state’s position among India’s most financially sound economies,” Sawant said. He said the Manohar International Airport at Mopa has generated revenue of Rs 66 crore for the government while also creating employment.
The legislative assembly passed the annual financial budget for the year 2025-26 after the Chief Minister’s reply.
