TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The new draft investment policy which encapsulates the industrial policy, the information technology policy and the tourism policy seeks to brand Goa as a perfect wedding destination and if cleared by the government could be placed before the Goa Assembly during the budget session.
In the past Goa has seen many foreign tourists thrilled at having exotic weddings in Goa. However the government is contemplating on branding Goa as a dream wedding destination.
The other thrust area of the Investment Police – the IT policy – has been kept separate because there are schemes for the IT industry from the Centre. The state has also restarted work on its IT habitat at Dona Paula and all previous allotments that were cancelled have been paid off. However no new allotments have begun.
To eliminate bureaucratic hurdles over prompt granting of permission and allegations of graft and favouritism, the government has decided to introduce a single window clearance system, which will be a centre within the department itself.
According to the draft Investment policy, “Single point services to business in the State along with the time limit (for clearances) and for transfer of jurisdiction to a single point clearance authority whenever permission are not granted by the competent authorities within the prescribed time limits,” are contemplated.
In case of large industries, the proposal self certified by the owner has to be submitted to the DITC, which will then submit it to the concerned departments for approval. The departments have to then submit the approvals to the DITC within 20 days. In case of any clarification, all will be sought at one time within this period of 20 days. If approval is not received within 20 days then the High powered Coordination Committee shall be competent to grant deemed approval to such cases which are not cleared by the competent authorities within the prescribed time limit.
The GIDC has also cleared four new industrial estates and there is a proposal that all industrial estates have to compulsorily do water harvesting and recharge ground water, allowing the estates to rely less on piped water. Industrial estates have been accused of indiscriminately using ground water and this measure is meant to ensure that the water table of surrounding villages is raised.
