From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Mar 15: As Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is getting ready to present the state budget on March 18, he has a tough task to do. The halt in the mining industry has created dent in the state’s earnings, while expenditures are ever increasing because of the infrastructure projects and social security schemes. Here are few reactions from the people what they expect from their Chief Minister.

1. Dr. E. Mericio Travassos, Associate Professor of Economics & Vice Principal, Parvatibai Chowgule College of Arts & Science, Margao

For the last few months Goa’s economy is on a downward slide with the resultant fall in incomes and employment. Hence, I obviously expect the budget to focus on these issues which are very important in the immediate term. In spite of the budgetary limitations that the Goa government faces, I also hope that the budget takes substantial steps to address issues of sustainability, not only in the mining industry, but also in tourism.  Obviously, the budget will have to tackle the problem of revenue generation. On the expenditure side a more judicious allocation of resources towards the development of infrastructural resources – both human and physical (non-human) – is required to build sustainability or encourage a transition from unsustainable to more sustainable development projects. I hope the budget will endeavour to do that.

2. Sean Faia, Director, Muzic Matters

My expectations from this year’s budget is a reduction in entertainment tax, security deposit and a single window clearance system for all permissions so as to encourage our home grown entertainment companies to do bigger and better events. Small event companies are left to work through the maze of rules and regulations as well as high taxes while large event companies from outside Goa walk away with the major chunk of business. It is the need of the hour to encourage local event companies.

3. Sarfraz Sheikh, Director, Hassan group

We need our CM to have a budget which has equal amount on socio- economic spending. This is the need of the hour for us Goan entrepreneurs. We have seen social schemes well implemented for example Ladli laxmi, Griha Aadhar scheme and so on. Now its time to have some economic schemes from our state government.

Some economic scheme that the government could consider during this budget:

1) Tourism Industry

Luxury tax should be charged for lower end hotels and guest house which have always been tax free. 3% Luxury tax should be implemented on all guest houses & small hotels.

Any hotel above INR 500 tariff should collect 3% Luxury tax on room rent. This will increase the tax collection for the state government and reduce the burden on medium and large hotels.

2) Auto Industry

With sales in Goa down at a all time low it calls in for some incentives for purchase.  Road tax on 2 & 4 wheelers should be reduced for this fiscal to push sales. An reduction of 2% for purchase of small cars below 1200 cc engine.

3) Road Map for new investment.

Goa could be made into an education hub. The success of institutions like GIM and BITS should be replicated and government should provide tax benefits and single window clearance to top institutions willing to open campus in the state.

4) Real Estate

Budget housing scheme should be implemented. Flats below 35 Lakhs in VP 1 and VP 2 should be encouraged. Stamp duty on such housing projects should be lowered to help investments and banks should fund at lower interest rates only for such projects.

5) Stop incentives to unemployed.

The Goa government should stop giving monthly unemployment doll to youth. We are a tourism centric state, government should set up employment offices were youth have to register themselves. Private companies can fulfill vacant position by recruiting youth from such government agencies.

These are some of the expectations industry wise which I feel can be looked into by the government.