Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant unveiled the state’s Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 on Friday, introducing a series of significant policy measures and financial allocations aimed at fostering economic growth, enhancing social welfare, and promoting sustainable development under the vision “Viksit Goa 2037.” The budget, totaling Rs 30,195 crore, seeks to balance infrastructure development, social security, education, tourism, and governance reform without introducing new taxes, relying instead on increased Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue and mining activity.
A notable highlight of the Budget is the decision to raise the licensing fee for setting up new casinos in Goa by 200 percent compared to the current rates. This hike applies exclusively to operators seeking new onshore casino licenses, as the government has capped the number of offshore casinos at six, with no new offshore licenses to be issued. Chief Minister Sawant clarified that this move is designed to regulate the casino industry more stringently and boost state revenues from this sector.
In addition to the casino licensing fee increase, the Budget also proposes raising excise license fees. The cost to obtain a new excise license for opening liquor shops and restaurants will be fixed at Rs 20 lakh, while the fee for transferring excise licenses (except through inheritance) will be increased to Rs 25 lakh. These adjustments are part of the government’s broader strategy to optimize revenue from the liquor trade, a significant contributor to the state’s finances.
The Budget emphasizes social welfare and employment reforms, particularly for contractual government employees. Sawant announced the regularization of contractual staff who have been working in government positions on a contractual basis for over ten years, aiming to provide job security and improve workforce stability. Additionally, the government plans to fill approximately 2,500 vacancies in the current fiscal year through the Staff Selection Commission, reflecting a commitment to expanding public sector employment.
Education and youth development receive substantial attention in the Budget. The government intends to launch an academic excellence scheme that offers selected students research opportunities and internships at premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the National Institutes of Technology (NITs). Furthermore, the ‘Mukhyamantri Sukanya Kaushal Vikas Yojana’ will provide a 100 percent tuition fee waiver for women enrolling in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), promoting skill development and gender empowerment.
The Budget introduces a new initiative called the ‘Mhaji Flat Yojana,’ aimed at resolving property conveyance issues in cases where sale deeds have not been executed between flat owners, builders, and housing societies. This scheme is expected to streamline property ownership processes, benefiting homeowners and developers alike.
Goa’s commitment to enhancing quality of life is also reflected in the planned creation of a ‘Happiness Index,’ which will measure and monitor the well-being and satisfaction of the state’s residents. Complementing this, the government will roll out a digital taxi policy to modernize transportation services, improve regulatory oversight, and better serve commuters.
In terms of governance and institutional development, the Budget proposes the formation of a dedicated Ministry of AYUSH to promote traditional and alternative medicine systems in Goa. Additionally, a Goa State Cashew Board will be established to support and encourage cashew cultivation, a crop historically significant to the state’s economy.
Infrastructure development receives a major boost through a Rs 500 crore outlay for the development of Goa’s third district, Kushavati. This allocation underscores the government’s focus on balanced regional development and infrastructure enhancement beyond the more urbanized areas.
A key urban development initiative involves the transformation of Vasco city, with Rs 180 crore allocated, supported by the Central Government. The project aims to revive and restore Vasco’s historic urban fabric, expand public spaces, and introduce blue-green infrastructure—integrated water and vegetation management systems—to enhance environmental sustainability and urban livability.
The Budget also dedicates Rs 385 crore to the tourism sector, a vital component of Goa’s economy. Among the planned measures is an inbound tour operators’ incentive scheme designed to promote chartered flights to the state, thereby boosting tourist arrivals and associated economic activity.
Chief Minister Sawant highlighted that the Budget prioritizes sectors critical to Goa’s future development, including green energy, healthcare, public transport, and the delivery of public services. With a revenue expenditure of Rs 21,970 crore and capital expenditure of Rs 8,225 crore, the state anticipates a revenue surplus of Rs 1,666 crore, while estimating a fiscal