TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Manohar Parrikar-led government has dropped the Shilpgram project of Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (GHRSSIDC) at Neuginagar, Panjim, which was envisaged by the Congress regime. It would have been the first of its kind project which would have provided tourists a peek into the art and culture of the State. Additionally it would provide excellent marketing opportunities to local artisans.
The GHRSSIDC had planned in 2009, to develop a 14,400 square metres area belonging to the directorate of industries, trade and commerce, located at the crafts complex, into a Shilpgram under the PPP model at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore.
The Corporation now plans to develop a permanent exhibition centre at the site.
GHRSSIDC Chairman Lavoo Mamledar said that government has dropped the Shilpgram project as the PPP model was not favoured by the new government. Mamledar said that Central government also refused to provide funding as the envisaged area (of 14,400 sq mts) was short of the 18,000 sq mts area preferred by the Centre.
Accordingly, he said that the plan for Shilpgram was dropped and now GHRSSIDC plans to develop a permanent exhibition centre, which would showcase the art and culture of the State.
The Shilpgram was expected to facilitate exports of Goan handicrafts, promote handicrafts based tourism on the lines of Delhi Haat, Chowkidani, Jaipur and contribute handsomely in the promotion of Goan handicrafts especially among the tourists.
Meanwhile, GHRSSIDC has also decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Goa Institute of Management (GIM) to study the demand and supply of Goan handicrafts at its 10 emporia.
Mamledar said that the sale of handicrafts is currently declining for unknown reasons. “We have asked GIM to study the reason for decrease in sale and how the same can be improved,” he said.
GHRSSIDC has also decided to install CCTV cameras at its emporia to keep a vigil on functioning of its staff. It will be implemented at Panjim and Vasco emporia on a trial basis.
