Goa: Budget session begins tomorrow

The last Budget session of Goa Legislative Assembly before the state goes to polls next year will begin tomorrow as Opposition parties gear up to corner the BJP-led government over various issues.
The session will begin at 11 AM tomorrow and culminate on Friday, March 18.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, who also holds Finance Portfolio, will table the budget on March 16 and is likely to announce a slew of initiatives and populist schemes given the upcoming Assembly election due in early March next year.
Parsekar may propose hike in allowance under 'Griha Adhar Scheme' besides an increase in Value Added Tax on petrol, reduction in state taxes on iron ore mining industry and other measures.

He has already expected revenue of Rs 300-400 crore during fiscal 2017 from mining industry.
The iron ore exports are expected to gain impetus during the coming fiscal.

During the session, the government will table 'Goa Waste Management Corporation Bill 2016' which will deal with the formation of solid waste management body for the purpose of treating the garbage generated in the state.
Also likely to be tabled is the Goa Staff Selection Commission Bill 2016 which proposes a common appointment agency for all government employees.
The opposition, including Congress, has already announced plans to corner the government over its "various failures".

A group of legislators from Congress, including party MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Vishwajit Rane, expelled MLA Atanasio Monserratte and Independents Vijai Sardesai, Rohan Khaunte and Naresh Sawal yesterday said they have decided to "expose the government on issues like the beach cleanliness scam and the mess in investment promotion board.