Team Herald
PANJIM: Even before the new government is sworn-in, the Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) on Saturday demanded that industry-related corporations should be headed by professional persons and not by political appointees.
The political appointees have their own priorities. Politicians and MLAs may be involved in policy making decisions but not in day-to-day functioning of the corporations.
Goa’s economy mainly depends on mining, tourism and manufacturing sectors. In the past, mining was the major contributor to State’s revenue and other sectors were not given the desired attention by the State government. 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 of Goa, said a press release of the GSIA.
The industries want that the State government should provide conducive business environment covering ease of doing business. The government claims that it has put many services online but it is only on paper and actual effect is not felt on the ground. There are several teething problems and lot of follow up/visits to the departments.
“The departments are required to get the things done. The work of putting the services online is given to a government undertaking M/s Goa Electronics Limited. For the last four years, the GEL is working but still there are several technical glitches. The industries want that this work should be given to a professional agency where the work can be done much faster and at a lesser cost,” stated GSIA President Damodar Kochkar.
Commenting on employment, the GSIA president mentioned that the competent people should get jobs and not through influence. Industries and specially the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the main source of employment but they need efficiency and accountability.
“To generate employment, the government should facilitate and encourage entrepreneurship. Locals who want to set up industries should be given some priority in allotment of plots or develop plug-n-play type galas in each Industrial Estate which can be leased to the aspiring entrepreneurs. This will develop entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities,” he added.
“Today, the industries have the option to set up the industries in neighbouring States which have more industry-friendly approach. The State must come up with new Industrial Policy providing enabling framework which will encourage establishment and growth of industries,” the GSIA demanded.
