SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024
VIKANT SAHAY
HERALD: Goa lately has been criticised on the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) front? What is your view on this?
BLAISE COSTABIR: This is purely a function of governance and the more proactive and sensitive the State governments are to the needs of the industry and the business community, the better the rankings get. This is evident when we see the progressive states and governments of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh etc. States need to understand that appointing consultants and preparing white papers on EoDB is of little relevance if the authorities do not accept the ownership of driving change and progress. I guess Goa needs to understand this.
The gap is in implementation down the line, the proverbial last mile. It has not struck anyone that things have to be done quicker. They have got used to waiting for instructions from higher ups. A file is in-warded and instead of working on it as per the rules, the dealing hand sends it to the top for instructions, then it comes back and is processed as per instructions rather than as per rules. This delays everything and affects the rankings and is against the tenets of EoDB.
HERALD: Since the closure of mining, the State is facing serious issues on revenue collection. What is your take on this?
BC: Our take on this pertinent question is revenue losses from mining have been estimated at about Rs 3,000 crore, which has also had an extremely adverse effect on the State economy. However the loss by way of damage to the environment and loss of livelihood has not been estimated properly. Most of the mines in the State are concentrated in four talukas, Bicholim in North Goa, and Sattari, Sanguem and Quepem talukas in South Goa. It is over eight years now and unfortunately, we have no single remedy which is acceptable to all parties, so as to have an early mitigation of the problem. CII has expressed its views that a ‘legislative cure’ would be best to enable sustainable mining to resume soon. We hope a resolution emerges. It will benefit all stakeholders and the community in general.
HERALD: Lately we have seen protests over infrastructure projects. What is your opinion on four-laning?
BC: Every development project comes with its own advantages and shortcomings. With so many communities involved, it is bound to have dissent from some quarter or another. CII always believes that such dissent should primarily be settled through dialogue keeping the sentiments of the community and the effects on the environment in mind. Force cannot be a re-course. It is bound to boomerang and inflate the issues beyond redemption. We see this happening across the country which is a worrying matter. We see larger vigilantism emerging and this is also certainly not helping prudent governance. The major reason for such protests in the State is that the projects we undertaken during lockdown where all other government work was at a standstill, this created mistrust and this needs to be addressed. We have not yet discussed this in detail, internally and we like other associations have asked the government to give a presentation on their plans. So far it has not happened.
HERALD: And setting up of a power plant?
BC: Again, we have not discussed this internally, but apparently it does not factor the governments thrust to opt for solar. Also, even if this project comes online, the power situation for industry will not improve as the issue is distribution and not supply. The department requires transformers, and up-gradation of transmission lines. Emphasis should be made to initiate steps to first conserve and optimise on the electricity that is being received, the distribution channels, up-gradation of transformers and transmission lines; to plug thefts and to promote the policy on solar power generation.
HERALD: Also on double tracking?
BC: The CII Goa Logistics Panel has had interactions with the officials from RVNL recently and also visited the sites or sections of the track being doubled presently in Goa, trying to understand the detailed outlining of this ambitious project.
CII has also written to the RVNL Officials post their physical visit to the double tracking sites about the following;
a) Protecting any houses along the proposed double-tracking route by not bringing the track any closer to the houses than it is today, especially any heritage houses. This would mean laying the double track on the side away from the house in question.
b) Consider making Chandor a junction station where some trains can be terminated. (Since double- tracking is completed up to Chandor).
c) Also start passenger trains up to Chandor so as to give the confidence that double-tracking is for this purpose mainly. ie make Chandor a new terminus.
We are yet to hear from the RVNL officials and also look forward to continued interaction with them as the project progresses, and CII would assist in any way so as to improve the rail services to and from Goa if needed.
CII also requested the South West Port to ensure that the coal laden wagons have mechanical covers over current method of using tarpaulin which is an international best practice. Apparently, the dome which GSPCB has insisted on, is pending before the NGT, the government should expedite this permission so that the dust can be contained.
HERALD: Do you think without having infrastructure projects Goa will be able to generate jobs in the State? How?
BC: At CII’s recent conference on Logistics in October 2020, it was highlighted that Goa with its central location on the west coast of the country and its natural harbour has the potential to emerge as India’s premier logistics hub which could facilitate the region’s, which would also include large parts of south Maharashtra and north Karnataka participation in global trade. This can give Goa’s economy a boost and also help in creating large number of jobs which would definitely benefit the Goan youth. I feel the industry has not been taken into confidence enough in the government’s decisions to adopt various infrastructure projects in Goa.
At the end of the day the government needs to take holistic decisions on the basis of some principles or direction which has been identified after a deep study. Government of Goa jointly with CII has constituted a Joint Task Force with the Department of Industries, Trade and Commerce GoG to serve as an institutionalised framework for a collaborative dialogue between industry and government on issues related to development and promotion of Industry in Goa. CII has also formulated an action plan for the next steps drawing on expertise from various regional and national level resources and have given a comprehensive concrete proposal to the government on;
n Ease of Doing Business: Concrete steps for single window clearance, suggestions based on best practices adopted by states like Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which will help in making Goa attractive to countries from the rest of the country as well as internationally
n MSME Support: Suggestions for non-monetary means to revive and bolster MSMEs in Goa
n Shortlist suitable industries for promotion: Evaluation and suggestion of a shortlist of conventional and new age industries to be attracted to Goa along with a proposal for facilitating their establishment in the State
n Promotion of Goa as an Investment Destination: A plan for marketing Goa nationally and internationally through road-shows, focused interactions and other cost-effective means.
HERALD: Do you think Goa has the right ecosystem for catering to big ticket firms?
BC: There is SEZ land which is expected to be freed or released soon, if the government can attract a mother industry which will spawn many ancillaries it will give a big boost as that is currently lacking. CII is working with the government to meet this goal. Land is one issue and then it is the time taken to get all the necessary permissions to start, basically back to EoDB strengthening. The current focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat and MSME boost in the budget means that there is potential for this to happen.
HERALD: Do you expect that things would improve in Goa?
BC: I believe we have said enough, what we need is action on the ground. COVID-19 and its effects have taken a lot of the government’s time, energy and money. With the vaccination in progress, we would believe that the situation will be brought under control sooner and the government will focus its attention on industry which will in turn drive job creation and revenue generation, two key areas for government. So, going forward we look forward to working with the government to ensure a strong and vibrant Goa.
