Congress Accuses Union Government of Neglecting Goa in Budget Allocation
In a sharp critique of the Union Budget, the Congress party in Goa has asserted that the state has been completely ignored and financially short-changed. The allegations were made by Amit Patkar, the state party president, who dismissed the government's claims of a visionary and growth-oriented budget as mere rhetoric disconnected from ground realities.
Constitutional Entitlement vs. Special Allocation
Patkar pointed out that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has acknowledged Goa will receive Rs 5,570.8 crore as tax devolution for the fiscal year 2026–27. However, he emphasized that this amount is a constitutional entitlement and not a result of any special package or generosity from the Centre. "Not a single rupee of this amount reflects a Goa-specific decision in the Union Budget," Patkar stated, highlighting the lack of tailored financial support for the state.
Unmet Demands and Lack of Recognition
The Congress leader further criticized the budget for failing to address specific needs. He noted that last month, Sawant had personally demanded Rs 4,000 crore for Goa from the Centre, but the Union Budget's response was zero. "No special package, no sector-specific allocation, no recognition of Goa's unique vulnerabilities as a coastal, tourism-driven and ecologically sensitive state," Patkar added, underscoring the absence of targeted measures.
Misleading Infrastructure Claims
Patkar also addressed claims regarding road infrastructure funding, calling them misleading. He explained that the mentioned amounts of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore refer to ongoing national highway projects, not new announcements or budget commitments. "No fresh Goa-specific infrastructure project was announced in the budget speech," he said, indicating a gap in new developmental initiatives.
Failure of the 16th Finance Commission
In his concluding remarks, Patkar asserted that the budget exposes the failure of the 16th Finance Commission for Goa. This criticism suggests broader systemic issues in financial planning and allocation for the state, raising concerns about its future economic prospects and infrastructure development.
