These are difficult days for Goa. We have lost a sitting Chief Minister after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. Heartfelt condolences to his family, may they get the strength to bear this great personnel loss. I am sure they would have preferred to have had the opportunity to be with MP constantly during this difficult period, but they had to share his precious time with many because he carried the burden of governance till the last day. It is this work ethic that must be emulated by the politicians and for that matter anyone who wishes to pay homage to Manohar Parrikar. There can be no better tribute, surely it will be better than making long winded speeches or proposing bridges that can be named after him.
We welcome the new Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and wish him all the best. Given that he is not the first choice for the coalition partners and the fact that he has to drive his chariot with two spare wheels, oops Deputy Chief Ministers.
The former Chief Minister ran the Government single handedly despite being constrained by severe medical issues. Why the current Government felt the need to accommodate two deputies belies logic? Especially since the posts are not constitutional but ceremonial.
Did you ever consider why MP himself did not make a succession plan, since everyone swore allegiance to him, surely there would have been no need for a midnight swearing in to avoid a constitutional crisis?
The urgency of the swearing in ceremony is totally lost, because anyway there is a code of conduct in place. This is actually a blessing in disguise for the new CM. He now has time to study the long pending issues especially related to mining, tourism and industry. It is time the cabinet sat down and actually discussed these issues and come up with workable solutions for these and other issues that need a decision or where decisions have been pending.
Industries are looking to the government for actions that will help in improving the “ease of doing business” index. This is one of the stated goals of the Central government too. There is an investment policy for Goa, and the nodal agency to implement this policy is the Investment Promotion Board (IPB). There is now a consensus that the IPB has failed miserably in achieving it objectives. There are various reasons for this failure, the meetings are not held regularly, most projects approved by the IPB face subsequent protests or non availability of power, etc. There is a trust deficit, the IPB is seen as basically a vehicle to convert orchard land bypassing usual planning norms.
The new CEO of the IPB is seemingly aware of the issues and is supposedly working with some consultants to remedy the situation. One must give him full marks for taking the initiative. However, it would be much better if the stake holders, industry associations, PWD, Electricity Department, GIDC, etc, were involved from the beginning as they would be able to figure out where exactly it failed and what can be a suitable remedy.
Any project needs electricity, just clearing a file does not make it available. The government has to have a mechanism in place where additional power can be purchased from the grid for such projects. There is enough power available, but rules do not allow it to be sold below cost. There is another option, the old Reliance power plant is defunct but the distribution network to Verna and Kundaim Industrial Estate is intact. Can the government buy or acquire this network and wheel power through this network to industry? That would then free a lot of power for others on the regular grid. Slowly this can be expanded to cover all industrial estates. Build an industrial grid as it were.
The IPB is centred on making a single window for passing a project and then steps back. Any project will be successful if it is completed on time. This means that the IPB has to be around to address the issues that crop up post the sanction, e.g. project needs water, PWD will say not available and investor will have to run helter skelter. In this situation the IPB back office should run around and ensure that the water is provided as per the commitment. Can the IPB strengthening its hand holding role?
When a project is submitted, the main criteria is investment and employment. This is not tested in reality when project starts? Did the project actually invest as planned and was the employment generated as promised? Since IPB is giving assistance they should ensure these criteria are met or have some kind of penalty. Apart from employment and investment can the IPB ask promoters to state what will they require that local entrepreneurs can provide? e.g since IPB is clearing a lot of hotels maybe locals can set units for manufacture of toiletries or a mechanised laundry or a green house for organic veggies. This way IPB will also point locals in the direction where the business opportunities arise based on projects being approved.
The Chief Minister is the Chairman of the IPB and he can drive the State in a new direction which will increase investment, increase employment and make the entire process faster. He cannot fill the void but he can make his own place and style. Wishing him well and pray that he has a successful and long tenure as Chief Minister.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
