Goa's financial position under control, says CM

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-12-14
PANAJI — The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Saturday said that the financial condition of the state is fully under command and neither the implementation of the VI Pay Commission nor global recession has affected the state in any way.
Informally speaking to the media persons during the inauguration of the North East Trade Expo - an exhibition, sale and demonstration of crafts from the northeastern states, at Darya Sangam, the Chief Minister said that it has been just a month since the implementation of the VI Pay Commission in the state, and therefore, it is too early to feel any pressure on the government exchequer. He also said that the government would not approach the Centre for any financial assistance, at least till March 2009.
The total financial implications of the VI Pay Commission including the two year arrears would be around Rs 700 crore. The additional expenditure by way of the VI Pay Commission this year itself would be around Rs 150 crore while the monthly burden on the government treasury would be approximately Rs 25 crore. Presently, there exist 50,000 to 55,000 in-service state government employees, besides 29,000 retired employees.
Speaking further, the Chief Minister said that the next assembly session would be convened somewhere during the third or last week of January 2009. “The assembly last met in the month of August 2008 and the six month period for meeting of the House ends in February, and therefore, there is no need to hurriedly summon the assembly session,” he added.
Replying to a question as regards the state security, Mr Kamat said that the state government, of recent has not received any specific information from the central Home Ministry. “We have been informed about the general threat perception and have taken all measures with an aim to face any eventuality,” he pointed out.
The Chief Minister also said that the two paramilitary companies which have been allocated to Goa would be retained in the state. “We are not taking any chances and the state security would be further beefed up as the Christmas and New Year approaches,” he informed.