The fate of a government is dependent on its ability to get work done and more importantly to have the benefits visible on the ground. In Maharashtra, an increase in the price of the humble onion can make the foundations that hold the government together very shaky. In Goa it is about being seen as a protector of the interests of the State and more importantly ensuring that jobs are created for the youth that are presently leaving for other states.
The State government crafted a new investment policy and promised Rs 25,000 crore worth and investments and the generation of 50,000 jobs. To ensure this becomes a reality certain far reaching changes were promised. The government promised a one window clearance for all the proposals presented for setting up operations in the State and also preparing a special package for small scale industry. Come 2017, the State will go to the hustings. Promises will be made yet again to industry but has the government made good on these two promises.
Like many things in Goa, it all depends on who you speak to. Gautam Verlekar of Saltwater Associates was of the opinion that this government was very keen on a one window and the establishment of the Investment Promotion Board was a testimony to that. The single window clearance system he said was driven by processes and a flow chart for executive steps. Benefits, he said were provided for all industry category and sectors based on the State’s preferred industry criteria. The small scale industries he said had special rebates on electricity, FSI and labour.
D Kumar Pillai, chairman, Goa Management Association said he had not seen any single window clearance. Kumar said “I am looking at it very holistically and I will say that people are still running to various windows. Various clearances have to be done by the individual himself. The intention may be good but there is certainly an execution deficit.”
With regards a special package for SSI, he said he had not heard of any special package. As a businessman with a unit he said “What does Goa offer? The market is outside the State, we have to get workers from outside the State, there is no tax incentive, the raw materials come from outside and more importantly we don’t get skilled labour within the State.”
Blaise Costabir, Entrepreneur and Board Member GIDC smiled on hearing the question, he said countered with a question “Why you asking me this, you know the answer. There should be a system. Unless it is the ITB, people have to keep running around to apply. With regards to the package for the small scale industry, there has been nothing”.
Manguirish Pai Raiker, member of the managing committee of Assocham and Chairman of Assocham National Council for SME 2015-16 asked “Can you tell me how many industries are coming to Goa. We only have mega real estate or hospitality projects coming here. There is a lot of conversion of land taking place. How many companies are setting up manufacturing units in Goa. There is a lot of action in service but nothing in manufacturing. I don’t see any activity.”
For someone who has been trying to set up a business in the State for a while now Tirthprasad Nagvekar laughed when he was asked the question.
He said “There is a single window which exists on paper but when you open that window there are multiple windows. You have to get clearances from each window. Many times the person loses interest.”
His experience was not unique, he said. Nagvekar received the allotment letter in Feb this year after applying in May 2015. The person who had to verify the draft went on leave for 2 months. He said “I am still waiting for the lease deed and it is almost two years since I gave them my proposal. Now the code of conduct will kick in and government departments will stop working. I have not been asked for money to speed up the movement of my file. Goa is subjected to psychological naxalism.”
The Herald spoke to various businessmen in the State both big and small and the general response was one of them not willing to face the repercussions, they felt for being critical. As one of them put it “I don’t want to get calls from people questioning my motivation for being part of this story.” Enough said.
