The state legislative assembly on Thursday passed the Rs 5,939.32 crore budget for 2009-10 with the passing of the Goa Appropriation (No 3) Act, 2009. The budget was presented in the House on March 23 and the demands for grants were since discussed and voted by the assembly. The passing of the Appropriation Act will provide for appropriation out of the state's consolidated fund of the monies required for the services during the financial year 2009-10.

Speaking in support of the Appropriation Bill, chief minister Digambar Kamat said that despite the global recession and other limitations, his budget had made a sincere attempt to touch the hearts of the weakest sections of society.

Kamat said that being aware that government money is public money, he has always travelled by economy class whenever duty beckons him to Delhi or other places. Kamat said he even refrains from taking his secretary with him unless there is an important conference where his secretary is absolutely necessary. "Each one should see how to save public money so that it may be spent for development. We will do our best to keep control on expenditure," Kamat said.

Speaking about the unemployment problem in Goa, the chief minister said he will hold a dialogue with all stakeholders to start the Rajiv Gandhi Information Technology Park at Dona Paula. He said the IT park would create lots of job opportunities for Goan youth, who are presently migrating out of the state for jobs.

Kamat also spoke in favour of protecting agricultural land for farmers and promised total transparency in the finalization of the mining policy. The mining policy will be finalized with proper thought, after proper consultation with all stakeholders and after incorporating the suggestions in the policy, Kamat said.

The chief minister also said the union minister for shipping G K Vasan would soon visit Goa and sort out the dispute between the government and MPT over the issue of jurisdiction over coastal areas and rivers.