As an attempt to promote more chartered flights to land at the Goa international airport, the state government has proposed to reduce its burden by reducing the parking and landing fees.
Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, on Wednesday, while presenting the state budget 2021-22 made this announcement in his speech in the state Legislative Assembly.
He also announced that a mining corporation would be set up to ensure the resumption of iron ore mining activities in the state.
“In order to promote and encourage entry of more international chartered tourists in the state, I propose to reduce the burden on chartered flights by bearing a part of parking and landing fees at Dabolim International Airport,” he said.
A provision of Rs 5 crore for this facility this year is also made.
So as to help the tourism industry, Mr Sawant proposed to introduce Tourism Trade Support Scheme, wherein all B, C and D category hotels/accommodations and travel/tour operators registered with the Department of Tourism, will get the advantage of the scheme.
“Under this scheme, the government will be provided an interest subvention on working capital loans up to Rs 25 lakh,” he said.
Mr Sawant granted a sum of Rs 5 crore for this purpose, which would serve around more than 2,000 hotels/ accommodations and more than 1,000 tour/travel operators.
Mr Sawant, who also maintains the fiscal responsibility, said that the state government has been working with the Centre and also in the court to ensure that the mining industry resumes.
The mining industry in the state came to a halt three years ago after the Supreme Court cancelled 88 mining leases.
“In order to ensure smooth resumption of this industry, I hereby propose formation of Goa State Mining Corporation,” he said.
Mr Sawant also said that his government will sign an MoU with Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (MECL) for carrying out mapping of mineral resources in the state of Goa and recognise potential mining sites.
Mr Sawant said that due to the predominance of the COVID-19 pandemic, the gross state domestic product (GSDP) estimates for 2021-22 are at Rs 89,421.61 crore with a growth rate of 9.72 percent as compared to the year 2020-21 and a per Capita Income of Rs 5.70 lakh, which is highest in the country.
“The net expenditure for the year 2021-22 has been estimated at Rs 21,646.68 crore, showing an increase of 12.8 per cent over last year. Similarly, revenue receipts are estimated to increase at 16.39 per cent over the last year due to greater central assistance in this fiscal year,” he said.
In another proposal, the CM had proposed to bring a correction to Goa Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1985 to promote smoothness of doing business and to ensure a seamless process for grant of quarrying leases for minor minerals.
His government shall also hasten to grant permits for traditional sand mining once the bathymetric study by the National Institute of Oceanography for Goan rivers is complete and reports are submitted.
“The government has formulated a scheme in consultation with Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and is now pursuing with the Supreme Court for utilisation of the permissible part of Goa iron ore permanent fund towards welfare of the mining affected areas in the state,” he said.
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