PANJIM: The industry expects that the new Goa government will present its budget soon after the administration is in place. It could be as early as this week. Goa’s economy mainly depends on mining, tourism and manufacturing sectors. In the past, mining was the major contributor to the State’s revenue and other sectors were not given the desired attention by the State government.
Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) feels that with mining operations coming to a standstill and tourism sector not picking up as expected, manufacturing is the only sector which is the growth engine that can sustain continued development of the economy and generate employment in the State. Despite being adversely affected by the pandemic, it contributes nearly 40 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and is the biggest employer in the State.
GSIA feels that knowing the financial condition of the State, the industries are not asking for any financial incentives. However, to stimulate efficiency and productivity of the manufacturing sector and generate employment opportunities, the main wish list of the manufacturing industries from the new Government is Ease of Doing Business, non- political appointment of chairmen for Corporations, transparent SOPs with timelines for each service to industries, employment generation, etc.
To encourage local employment, government should improve public transport. There are lot of youth in rural areas who want to work in the industrial estates but have no convenient public transport. Government must provide public transport from identified rural areas to the industrial estates. Also, for some workers it may not be economical to travel every day, these workers then stay in congested rented houses or in slums creating problems related to hygiene and social. For these workers, hostel facility should be provided in or around the industrial area, GSIA expects.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in its list of demands which runs down in seven pages has also talked about the Ease of Doing Business, growth in infrastructure such has dry ports, etc, logistics, approval of several pending plans, development of MSMEs, Start-ups and entrepreneurship etc.
CII also stressed upon the single window concept for all approvals. It said that several departments have to be approached for different approvals – GIDC, GSPCB, CIF, CIPB, FI wherein delays of more than a year have been experienced even for renewal of licences.
It also suggested the much-appreciated Goaonline portal that is equipped with software for application and issuing NOC for single dwelling units under TCP rules, should be applicable to GIDC NOC too. The State government should move to a regime of self-declaration that is asking the entrepreneur to declare that they have followed all rules and to submit required plans or applications and start. Goa should replicate the best practices followed by some other States, wherein land holders need to submit plans as per rules and commence construction without waiting for approval. The approval would follow thus cutting the project time in a big way.
CII suggests that architects and engineers having ten years of experience can certify plans are as per rules. Thereafter, for any deviations, penalties and demolition can be the way forward. The Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) has suggested that the newly-formed Goa Tourism Board needs to be given autonomous powers to bring is changes in terms of development, infrastructure, promotion and strategy. Goa is already facing stiff competition from our neighbouring coastal States which needs to be viewed seriously. Today there is a parallel tourism happening without government control. All this illegal accommodation and allied facilities should be registered and brought under government ambit. This would double the government revenues in terms of licence fees, VAT and GST and at the same time health and security issues will be addressed.
The GCCI also states that COVID pandemic-impacted industries, depending upon the government to extend some tax incentives and improvements in infrastructure.
Goa Chapter of Assocham felt that New Education Policy should be implemented properly with more stress on skill development. Education has to be given a serious look. It is a shame that we cannot provide space for a prestigious project like IIT in Goa. How can we ask for AIIMS?
“We have lost good centrally assisted projects like convention centre, dredging of rivers, improving port facilities, etc. because of some self centered NGOs. We need to overcome this and take the State forward,” it said.
World Trade Centre of Goa suggested adequate allocation for healthcare facilities.
