PANJIM: As Goa begins another year with Covid-19 cases again rising, does it have a plan for economic growth and recouping the losses of the past two years? That’s a question that should have been answered in the positive, as the State has in its possession the report of 16-member Economic Revival Committee (ERC) constituted in April 2020 to study the impact of the COVID-19 and suggests measures on how to revive the economy.
But, nearly 20 months later there is no discussion on the report. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, when asked about the status of the report, only said, “Will let you know after our next cabinet (meeting).” The next Cabinet meeting could be the last before the Model Code of Conduct for the elections comes into force.
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Not only the government but even members of the committee are clueless on the report.
The Chairman of the Economic Revival Committee Shivanand Salgaoncar when asked about the status of the report submitted, said, “Frankly I have no idea since the mandate of the committee ended with the submission of the report to the Chief Minister. It was for the government to take a call on the suggestions.”
The committee, which was dissolved soon after the submission of the report, comprised industrialists, bankers, academia and management experts.
Another member of the then ERC, Blaise Costabir said, “The ERC was disbanded and we were not given any inputs so it is difficult to comment as to what is the progress, on the suggestions.”
President of CREDAI and also a member of the then ERC Nilesh Salkar was candid enough to say, “I do not have any clue. They did implement some suggestions which did not have a financial implication on their Budget. The ones that had a small short term implication were implemented half heartedly.”
As the economic downturn is yet to pick up, the ERC report needs to itself be revived as it may have the way forward.
Immediate past President of the Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry Manoj Caculo, who was following the progress of the report said, “The Economic Revival Committee was formed consisting of some of the finest brains in business in Goa. The report too was submitted in time. However, unfortunately there is no response from the State government on the recommended measures to revive the economy. Now that the committee is dissolved, there is no head or tail on what is going to be future course of action.”
