Govt policies should be dynamic: Gawas

Such steps have been taken by Telangana, the newest state in country. VIKANT SAHAY meets with Chandrakant K Gawas, chairman of the Logistics Committee of the Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) to understand whether the change in Investment Policy of 2014 is required or not. 

HERALD: Do you think that Goa needs to have a relook at the investment policy?

CHANDRAKANT K GAWAS: Presently there should be a review as the 2014 Policy which needs some tweaking and amendment. We need to add some more points and we have submitted it to the government. We appreciate the intention of the Government to have laid emphasis on getting investments into the State with an aim to create employment for the local youth. The thrust on getting non-polluting industries into the State is another good initiative in the Investment Policy, 2014. It should be dynamic not static. 

HERALD: What are your suggestions?

CKG: We need to have logistics hubs, Verna Container Freight Station, power, ports and waterways, private terminals/jetties, road network, railways, Micro Industrial Zones –MIZ, water management, etc. If we have these, the industries and investment will come. Goa needs an immediate image changeover to make it more appealing and attractive as an investment destination. It needs to focus on future requirements and trends of the industry including the new emerging sectors. 

HERALD: How do you see Goa as an investment destination? Do we have the land to set up new facilities?

CKG: At present there is a lot of potential in the State. But, I see it differently. There should have been more industries. The way the government is looking and the extra land of 35,000 square meters which is under litigation must be sorted out. We do not need to create a land bank but we can manage through the existing ones. For example the industries which have closed down like Metastrips etc still have acquired the land. Similarly, Zuari Agro Chemical had 5000 workers but today it has barely 2000 workers and their production too have scaled down. Also, Western India Shipyard Limited (WISL) health is not too good. So why can’t the land of these industries be utilised for more profitable industries? Land has to be managed and which is already available has to be put in for good use. 

HERALD: Do you think that mapping of these industries should be done?

CKG: Identify the land occupied by some large business houses which are being underutilized and blocked with no development. Mapping the size of existing industry in different sectors is absolutely essential. The government should also know  it’s (industry) carrying capacity and its potential for expansion over the next 5 to 10 years. Mapping the sick industries in the State and resultant blocked assets on account of the same.

HERALD: What is the economic scenario in Goa?

CKG: Economic scenario in the State on account of closure of the mining business and consequential results thereof has been a quite a hit on the economy. Effects of Regional Plan on the Industrial Policy also should be considered as economic activity precedes financial activity. Industries which are environment friendly, non-polluting, large employment generators and those which would generate long term tax and non tax revenues should be welcomed.

HERALD: Is the State capable to invest in these areas?

CKG: The ability of the State government to invest in future is shrinking due to high debts and reducing revenue earnings. Lot of funds has been provided by the government towards social welfare schemes. Government’s ability to create more employment would gradually decline and only non government sectors would have to be developed to be the partner in progress of the State. Hence a very attractive and transparent model of attracting private sector in the State development process needs to be worked out. 

HERALD: What should be government’s role?

CKG: We at Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) are of a firm opinion that the government should not be in business activity and should work as a strong facilitator/regulator and work towards the welfare of the public at large. Government should generate revenues through the development of the trade and commerce.