Team Herald
VASCO: The Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) on Friday stated that the industry, which is the highest contributor to State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been completely neglected by the government.
“The condition of roads in the industrial estates is very pathetic. The State government’s assurance to make Goa’s roads potholes free vanished in the air,” alleged GSIA President Damodar Kochkar.
“Facing severe criticism from the public, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to see that all national highways, State highways and major district roads are repaired urgently and made a big announcement to make roads potholed-free by November 1,” mentioned Kochkar in a press release issued here.
“The Goa-IDC is bankrupt and has no money to pay even the salaries to their staff. Goa-IDC has taken a loan of Rs 200 crore to payback the SEZ allottees. Where has the money paid by SEZ allottees at the time of taking the land gone? Land premium amount paid by the allottees has to be kept in a separate corpus fund. We understand that now this fund has been utilised for payment of salaries and other administrative expenses. Forget about the roads, Goa-IDC has no money to even cut the outgrown bushes in the industrial estates,” claimed the GSIA president.
“Further, the government which had made a budgetary provision of Rs 10 crore for improving the infrastructure in the industrial estates should, at least, release some funds to Goa-IDC for up-keep of the industrial estates,” he added.
“The Goa-IDC was at one time a cash rich corporation. Where has all the money gone? A thorough investigation needs to be conducted in the past infrastructure works done. Even panchayat roads last for four to five years, whereas, Goa-IDC roads and truck terminals get washed away within a year,” alleged Kochkar.
“Now, the Goa-IDC is harassing the industries at every possible opportunity to extract money to pay their salaries and other administrative costs. Exorbitant fees are charged to issue construction licences. For extension of construction licence, three times of the fees are charged which works out to more than erecting a simple industrial shed. Further, if the implementation of the project is delayed for any reason beyond three years, lakhs of rupees are charged as penalty to grant extension,” he further charged.
“Last four years, the government undertaking, Goa Electronics Ltd (GEL) has been struggling to digitise the Goa-IDC services. This work should be given to a professional private company, who could have completed this work much faster and with less cost,” he stated.
“Overall, the industry fraternity is frustrated and upset with the Goa-IDC’s working and non-cooperative attitude of some of their employees. We hope the government will take care of the industry which is contributing to economic development of State,” he concluded.
