The Information Technology Investment Policy (2015-2020) document for the State of Goa defines Information Technology (IT) / Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) on page 3. However, the Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) projects and services are not defined in the Information Technology Investment Policy document.
According to a report in the Herald (refer perspective page 2 / February 7, 2015), there was a possibility of Goa getting a helicopter manufacturing unit. This could be a large ESDM project linked to the manufacture of electronic systems of civilian and Defence aerospace industry. Where was the helicopter manufacturing unit proposed to be located in Goa and what is the present status of the project? Does this project have any linkages to the QuEST Global manufacturing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Belgaum in the neighboring Karnataka State or to other earlier rejected SEZ projects in Goa?
The National Manufacturing policy and the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) scheme notified vide Notification No. 252 dated 22.10.12 in Part-I, Section 1 of Gazette of India has not been adopted in the tiny State of Goa through any Notification. It is therefore shocking that in-principle approval has been granted to the large Electronic Manufacturing cluster project at Tuem in Pernem Taluka on 21 January 2016. The in-principle approval for the EMC project is valid for a period of six months and there are several issues of concern.
The Regional Plan for Goa (RPG-2021) policy documents did not propose land use for clusters anywhere in Goa for ESDM or for any other large manufacturing projects. The SEZ projects and industrial townships/parks have been rejected in Goa. Also, the clusters/agglomerations under the National Investment & Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) have neither been notified nor demarcated on the land-use planning documents and land-use planning maps of Goa. Therefore, the National Investment Region (spread across several talukas) cannot be demarcated on the project master plans in the tiny State of Goa. The unsustainable mega industrial investment projects & supporting townships proposed through cluster developments should be rejected.
It appears that the Information Technology Investment Policy (2015-2020) document referred above is not for locally qualified professionals and technicians who are forced to leave their family and homes to work in other states of India and abroad. Why are the local engineering colleges & ITIs not clearly defined on page 4 of the Information Technology Investment policy document?
