Across the country, and not just Goa, the perks of winning elections come in the positions that the elected MLAs and functionaries of the party that win then occupy. This is almost like the spoils of war that are distributed among the winners, important losers and top party members. Goa has 12 cabinet berths to be distributed, positions of Speaker and Dy Speaker within the Assembly and then there are myriad corporations and boards that are available for distribution among politicians. The entire list of these corporations and boards is available in the government directory or even on the website of the Government of Goa and it is well over 50.
With a new government soon to be in place, most of these positions will be now distributed among the politicians, but, and here is something interesting, the Goa State Industries Association has already demanded that industry-related corporations and boards be headed by professionals and not by political appointees. Their argument is that political appointees have their own priorities, and that while politicians and MLAs may be involved in policy making decisions, they should not have any role to play in the day-to-day functioning of the corporations. Though the industry body hasn’t mentioned the corporations, the general idea would be that Goa Industries Development Corporation, Investment Promotion Board, Economic Development Corporation and others be headed by professionals.
Giving their rationale for this move, the industries association also sought that the government provide a conducive business environment that will cover the ease of doing business. The latter is one issue that the new government will have to take up as a priority as Goa’s rankings in this have dropped in recent years. It is all the more serious to bring about the ease of doing business, as industries have pointed out that they have the option of setting up in the neighbouring States ‘which have more industry-friendly approach’. If industry moves out of Goa because the environment is not conducive then it is the State that will suffer. Another demand is also of a new industrial policy that will provide the enabling framework to encourage establishment and growth of industries.
A move to have professionals heading corporations would find the support of all in the industry as it would bring a specialised touch to the management of the corporations and an understanding of what industry wants. But this should go further and not be restricted to only industry-related corporations and boards. Why not have all the corporations and boards headed by professionals in related services or by persons who are capable of delivering in these positions? For instance, the Goa Educational Development Corporation should have an educationist as chairperson, the Goa Labour Board should be headed by a person connected with human resources or the labour movement. Similarly, for every corporation and board – all semi-government and autonomous bodies – the appointments should be made up of professionals and not political appointees.
Changes in government should also transform the way in which governance is delivered. Not just industry, but every sector will benefit from professionalism in semi-government and autonomous bodies. The trend of political appointees as chairpersons of corporations and boards has to end and there is no better time than now for this to be initiated. Should the government do appoint such professionals or even individuals who are not politically motivates and are capable to leading these, it would be setting a precedent that successor administrations would find hard to deviate from. This is quite a challenge posed to the incoming government by the industry body. Since a government is yet to be formed, there is enough time to consider this and make it work. It all depends on the government that takes charge of the State.
