PANAJI: The Governor, Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu has expressed hope that in spite of the global slowdown that affected the country and Goa too, the economy of the state would do well in all the spheres and should achieve a respectable gross state domestic product growth of above 10 per cent at constant prices.

Addressing the state legislative assembly on the opening day of the budget session, the first session of the year, Dr Sidhu said that this could only be possible with the concerted efforts put in by different arms of the government. He said that the government intended to continue the growth trend further and bring about significant changes in the lives of the people.

The Governor stated that as a result of economic slowdown, state economy had to face the impact which has adversely affected the growth momentum achieved during the last couple of years. The GSDP growth rate of 14.13 per cent achieved during 2007-08 fell to 7.2 per cent during 2008-09.

Dr Sidhu, however, said that the shadow of economic slowdown had started receding, following the fiscal stimulus that the central government infused for revival of the economy. "Now, the state economy has also started showing signs of revival and is likely to achieve a double digit GSDP growth rate during 2009-10," he said. He further stated that the government has laid greater emphasis on public spending and, therefore, the plan size for 2009-10 was increased by a substantial 29 per cent. He also said that the government was deeply conscious of the development imperative for the state and that it was also sensitive to the genuine concerns of the people.

"The government believes in democracy and is committed to follow the best tradition of secularism and it firmly believes in consensus. It has been successful in effectively addressing the core developmental issues concerning the ‘aam aadmi,’" said Dr Sidhu. He went on to say that the government was working hard to achieve a fast inclusive growth by laying greater emphasis on strengthening social security net, enhancing the level of quality in education, improving the health care facilities, modernising and upgrading the existing infrastructure and also creating additional infrastructure. The Governor said that tourism is the mainstay of the state economy and that the government has been very sensitive toward the safety and security of the tourists visiting the state and added that the foreign tourists who visited the state brought in as much as 912 million US Dollars as foreign exchange. The Governor said that since the rich cultural heritage of the state was one of the major attractions for tourists, the government has taken steps to promote cultural heritage. He also made a mention of advanced beach safety management system, which has drastically brought down the death rate due to drowning.

As regards to promotion and strengthening agriculture, he said that the government has arranged to provide 425 metric tonnes of quality seeds of different type such as paddy, pulses, groundnuts, at a substantial 40 per cent concession in all parts of Goa through an active involvement of local co-operative societies, which has benefited nearly 10,000 farmers and on which the government has spent over Rs 50 lakh. He further said that the government has decided to lay greater emphasis on mechanisation of agriculture in order to attract the youth to the agriculture sector. The government was providing a substantial subsidy of 70 per cent for procuring agricultural equipment and machinery to encourage farmers to mechanise their farming activities. He also made a mention of government’s effort in helping the farmers in Canacona who were affected by flash floods.

The Governor also mentioned about the ambitious project to build a sea link over the Arabian Sea, linking Panaji and Vasco, which would be taken up in the public-private partnership mode. He further stated that a greenfield airport would also be built at Mopa and that the existing Dabolim airport would be expanded, for which the Union government has already sanctioned around Rs 500 crore.

Stating that the government would do its best in its endeavours to accelerate the pace of development and welfare of common man with all sincerity and dedication under the guidance and supervision of the members of the House, he expressed hope that as representatives of the people the MLAs would guide the efforts in the right direction.