Goa govt can meet finances without mining revenue: BJP

The BJP today said that the Goa government could absorb the revenue loss following closure of mining activity in the state but will have to cut down expenses.
The state government can manage without the revenue earned from the mining activity "but we will have to curtail certain expenditures," BJP's Goa unit spokesman Wilfred Mesquita told mediapersons here.
"In everybody's life, if you have money you can afford luxuries, if not then you have to live within your means," Mesquita said.
The state government, which is currently drafting the budget 2013-14, has to forego the revenue to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore - expected to be earned in the form of royalty on iron ore exports.

The mining activity in the state was stopped in September last year following a Supreme court order, which initiated inquiry by Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
Mesquita said the party strongly favours starting of legal mining activity in the state.
"If there are irregularities pointed out in some mining leases, they should be corrected and mining activity should be allowed to begin," he suggested.