PANJIM, MARCH 25
GSIA has congratulated Chief Minister Digambar Kamat for presenting a State Budget 2010, which apart from showing concern for the slow industrial growth has many proposals to boost the industrial growth of the State.
The Chief Minister has acknowledged that the promises made in the last Budget like the small industrial plots for micro and small industries are yet to be allotted and the extension under NPV for micro, small and medium industries has been notified just a few days back. And this is the reason GSIA had demanded a formation of implementation Committee headed by Chief Secretary to follow-up on the Budget Proposals.
The Chief Minister has also agreed with GSIA that non-availability of industrial plots is the main hindrance preventing setting up of industries in Goa. To address this, he has announced setting up of Task Force which a welcome step.
The Task Force is expected to study and submit report on closed units, underutilized and un-utilized plots as also suggest solution for release of land allotted to SEZs for which Notification has not been issued.
Meanwhile, Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has welcomed the Budget presented by chief minister in the Assembly . The Chamber this year had submitted a pre-budget memorandum in which it had taken up some important issues which have all been accepted by the Chief Minister and find mention in his budget speech.
The Chamber’s suggestions which find specific mention in the Chief Minister’s budget speech include creation of logistics hubs at Sancoale and Dharbandora, creation of Task Force for bringing in more transparency in the utilization of plots at various industrial estates, setting up of a Goa Maritime Board, setting up of a Career Development Institute to develop skill-sets of the Goan youth as also to prepare them for various Central examinations, setting up of computer labs in schools in lieu of Cyberage Scheme, setting up of a task force for effective introduction and implementation of GST, setting up of an IT Incubation Centre at Verna, extension of period of benefit of NPV Scheme for industries utilizing hazardous materials and other industries who were given the benefit of exemption by way of a special order. The Chamber’s demand to remove the unnecessary restriction on the period of exemption to Goan liquor industry has also been accepted.
The Chamber also welcomes the Government’s decision to create a new taluka at Dharbandora. This decision will help in better and effective administration as well as focused development of this backward area. Chamber notes with appreciation, the various schemes announced by the Chief Minister for economically and socially backward people.
