Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Lost in the woods

Lack of vision reduces Budget to rnan exercise in accounting

| MARCH 25, 2017, 06:27 PM IST

Was it a Budget or an exercise in accounting? Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s first budget since his return from New Delhi lacks vision or direction and all it seeks to do is fill the cracks left by the Parsekar regime. It appears that Parrikar merely allocated money to various departments to complete projects and implement schemes. The only saving grace, and it is difficult to say if this is a sleigh of hand, is the promise of 11% growth in the GSDP. How the chief minister hopes to achieve this with the assortment of political parties that have gone into forming this government and the diverse collection of ministers, is anyone’s guess. Perhaps, Parrikar is banking on the increased flow of cash from the Centre to tide over the financial crisis that the State would have faced without it. In 2012-13 the share of Central taxes was Rs 1,072.87 crore, in the financial year 2017-18, the State will receive Rs 3,224 crore. In addition, the Centre will be investing Rs 11,000 crore on several bridges, including one across the Zuari and road works along NH17. Such a huge infusion of funds would definitely change the scope of development, but then, implementation of these projects started when Parsekar was the chief minister and Parrikar will just carry them forward.  
Social sector spending was the brainchild of the BJP and in this election it did not bring them any benefits, but spending will continue because schemes of this nature, once started cannot be withdrawn. And the truth is many families benefit from this. Social sector spending is essential, the only question is whether the money goes to deserving families. Same is the case with free laptops which the government could not deliver for the past two years. Parrikar has promised to deliver on this promise. The new government aims to generate 6% growth in agriculture sector with a promise to make the State self-sufficient in grain, vegetables, milk and other agri products. This is ambitious and maybe even impossible and is more likely to result in an inflated subsidy bill with no real benefits.  
Spending on the education sector has a direct impact on growth and successive governments have being doing this. No real surprises from the Parrikar government here except for the lack of any mention about the IIT college at Loliem, which might be a relief for the people who have opposed it tooth and nail. The government will also endeavor to make Goa the first beggar-free State. And this, the government will achieve by establishing a full-fledged rehabilitation centre. If it is anything like the Apna Ghar and the protective homes run by the government, we will hear more stories of beggars escaping.   
This Budget was put together at short notice so one can forgive Parrikar for not having a clear sense of direction, but it is also a reflection of the kind of government the BJP has cobbled together in its bid to stay in power, for better or worse. 
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