Additional Central assistance of Rs 25 cr for Goa

Panaji, Dec 5 (UNI) The Planning Commission has given an additional central assistance of Rs 25 crore to the Goa Government in view of good revenue collection, informed Goa Finance Minister, Dayanand Narvekar.

Speaking to media persons here today, Mr Narvekar said that the priorities will be fixed by the state so that the amount is utilised by March 31, 2008.

In addition, the Planning Commission has agreed additional central assistance of Rs 30 crore for e-governance projects as per central scheme due to various IT initiative of State Government, he added.

The Minister said, ''The Planning Commission has also agreed to enhance the plan outlay of the state from Rs 1,430 crore to Rs 1,595 crore and, accordingly, the Government is getting Rs 165 crore extra against the plan size of 2007-08.'' ''Due to the efforts of finance departments, we have collected more than Rs 69.80 crore through VAT and sales taxes for 2007-08 for eight months against the collection of 2006-07. In Excise, we have collected more than Rs 10 crore for the first eight months,'' Mr Narvekar added.

UNI