TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Governor of Goa B V Wanchoo has asked industry to make integrity their forte as well as raised concerns about the concretization of Goa in his address at the Annual General meeting of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
For the first annual general body meeting that comes after the revelations of the Shah Commission report which resulted in Supreme Court imposing ban on mining, the Governor also asked the industry to look upon the mining ban as an opportunity rather than a problem.
“I would like to, on this occasion, earnestly call upon you to promote the concept of inclusive growth… the GCCI and other similar organizations can render a signal service to society by insisting on the practice of integrity and by emphasizing ethical concerns. This has become all the more imperative in times like now when the values of personal and corporate integrity and ethical norms are taking a backseat in the never ending race of making quick and instant profits,” the governor said.
“We also need to examine and explore on priority alternative opportunities for employment for the people and for sustainable economic progress,” the governor said referring to mining.
“I would therefore call upon you to treat the issue of stoppage of mining activities not as a problem, but as an opportunity to think fresh avenues and ventures so that we are able to pull Goa out of this economic situation,” Wanchoo said adding that Goa needs to think long term.
The governor echoed a common complaint of that of concretization of Goa that is time and again voiced by civil society.
“We need to be conscious that more and more land is coming under construction and developmental projects are so much so that the land to man ratio in the state is steadily decreasing and becoming adverse. We need to be aware that the state’s natural resources cannot be exploited beyond a particular point failing which it will have serious repercussions,” Wanchoo said adding that the state also has to introspect whether it will have the carrying capacity to handle the ever increasing number of tourists in the coming years and the scope of hinterland tourism.
He also said that the IT situation in Goa was very bad, although the State is extremely suitable for IT related and electronics industries.
He said that the state should also explore its opportunities in the marine sector.
“Modernization and long term development of maritime resources can provide gainful economic resources to our people. Goa with an impressive maritime tradition can steer the ship for reaching hitherto unreached shores of progress in the maritime sector,” the Governor said.
The GCCI has completed 105 years of its existence, which the governor appreciated at the start of his address.
