Panaji, Mar 3 (TOI): Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar is likely to present the state budget on March 16 during the week-long assembly session that begins on March 14.

Speaking to TOI, Parsekar said that he "is thinking" of presenting the budget on March 16. The budget, which is Parsekar's second since taking over reins as chief minister, is likely to focus on employment generation, and will be industry oriented and pro-farmer, sources said. Assembly secretary, N B Subhedar, informed TOI that it has been decided at the business advisory committee meeting that the chief minister will present the budget on March 16.

During the five-day budget session of the Goa legislative assembly, the CM and his council of ministers have to answer 772 starred and un-starred questions.

In the election year, Parsekar may announce some sops for both business persons and citizens. The CM has already started holding pre-budget meetings with all stakeholders and, on Tuesday, he held a meeting with some ministers to understand their requirements and hear suggestions as to what needs to be incorporated in the budget speech.

Travel and tourism association of Goa, in a pre-budget meet with the chief minister, had suggested that the state tourism budget allocation not be increased, in contrast to their demand for a larger tourism budget over the last few years. In the meeting the apex body representing hotel and travel trade in Goa had suggested that the license fee for category 'B' hotels be reversed, a budgetary provision be made for a tourism master plan, investment in the tourism sector be disallowed until a master plan is prepared, and seasonal restaurants and various other unregistered hotels be brought under the tax net.

During the pre-budget meeting, the Goa mineral ore exporters' association had submitted a list of taxes and fees that needed to be reduced for resumption of mining in the state, but Parsekar gave the industry relief by reducing taxes and fees a few days before the budget.