from Daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Mar 26: With 33 per cent growth in the collection of commercial taxes due to implementation of the value added tax (VAT) regime, Goa Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane on Wednesday presented a budget for 2006-07 that does not impose major new levies and offers sops to various sectors.

The budget, with an outlay of Rs. 4,160 crore, which is 11.61 per cent higher than the previous year's outlay, pegs the deficit at Rs. 20.97crores. Its thrust is on agriculture and infrastructure development, apart from the social sector, as they will get over 50 per cent of the planned allocation.

The budge unveiled a host of social security and welfare schemes and speaks of development in the backward areas, which are a part of the Western Ghats.

Rane has reduced the excise duty on beer from Rs. 9 a bulk litre to Rs. 7 and allowed the sale of beer and wine across the counter with a licence fee of Rs. 15,000 a year. An import pass fee at the rate of Rs. 10 a bulk litre on beer and Indian-made foreign liquor has been imposed while waiving the existing import pass fee on rectified spirit and increasing the excise duty on IMFL from Rs. 30 a bulk litre to Rs. 32.

Rane's thrust on tourism was evident when he announced a plan to set up a golf course through private participation.

The budget also emphasizes various development activities, including beach management, beach safety, parking spaces, wayside facilities and construction of cottages in various places all over the State.