To also demand higher share in central taxes
PANAJI
With the 16th Finance Commission, led by Chairman Arvind Panagariya, set to visit Goa on January 9–10, the State government has drafted proposals worth Rs 28,000 crore to further boost the development of Goa, apart from seeking an increase in the State’s share of central taxes from the existing 0.386 per cent to one per cent.
Ahead of the Finance Commission visit, CM Pramod Sawant on Friday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the departmental proposals. The government has laid major focus on green energy promotion, for which a proposal worth Rs 7,350 crore has been drafted.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Sawant said that the State will seek approximately Rs 28,000 crore as a package from the Finance Commission. He said that the proposal would be submitted to the Commission during its visit on January 9.
He added that the State will also request a higher share in central taxes, taking into consideration its high fiscal efficiency, to address infrastructure gaps and prioritise local development.
As per the information provided by the Chief Minister, under green energy, the State will seek funds to the tune of Rs 7,350 crore, while another Rs 5,460 crore will be requested for public works, Rs 4,160 crore for power infrastructure, Rs 3,401 crore for water resources and agriculture, and another Rs 1,982 crore towards disaster management.
Under tourism, proposals worth Rs 1,693 crore have been drafted, while for education it is Rs 1,536 crore. Another Rs 733 crore will be sought for waste management, Rs 631 crore for health, and Rs 379 crore for climate change initiatives.
“The departments will make their final presentations on Monday, January 6, after which the final submission will be made to the Commission,” Sawant said.
As reported earlier by The Goan, Goa will present a case to allot a minimum of one per cent of all taxes to the State, irrespective of its size and population. At present, as per the 15th Finance Commission (2021–26), the State’s share of central taxes is 0.386 per cent.
Sawant said that the Commission should also take into consideration the one million floating population and the fact that Goa stands fourth in the Sustainable Development Goal Index and second in the Human Development Index.
As per the 15th Finance Commission and the Constitutional provisions, each State is entitled to a share of the collections of central excise, income tax, customs duty, and other duties and taxes collected by the Centre.
Various criteria, such as population, demography, and income, are used by the Commission to determine each State’s share of central taxes and the weight assigned to each criterion.
