Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Goa Small Industries Association has made a charter of demands for the new Government, which includes Ease of doing business, Appointment of Chairmen for Corporations, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Employment generation, Public Transport and Hostel Facility and Regulatory Compliances and Inspections.
The GSIA ina. press release here said that Goa’s economy mainly depends on the 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 the tourism sector not picking up as expected, manufacturing is the only sector that is the growth engine that can sustain the continued development of the economy and generate employment in the State of Goa,” it said.
It stated that Manufacturing is a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the economy. Despite being adversely affected by the pandemic, it contributes nearly 40% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and is the biggest employer in the State.
“Knowing the State’s financial condition, the industries are not asking for any financial incentives,” it says. 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 as follows:
1. Ease of Doing Business (EoDB)
The industries want the Government to provide a conducive business environment covering the Ease of doing business. The Government claims that it has put many services online, but it is only on paper, and the actual effect is not felt on the ground. There are several teething problems, and many follow-up/visits to the Departments are required to get the things done. Putting the services online is given to a Government Undertaking M/s Goa Electronics Limited (GEL). For the last four years, GEL is working, but still, there are several technical glitches. The industries want this work to be given to a professional agency where the work can be done much faster and at a lesser cost.
2. Appointment of Chairmen for Corporations
Industry-related Corporations should be headed by professional persons and not by political appointees. Political appointees have their own priorities. Politicians and MLAs may be involved in policymaking decisions but not in the day-to-day functioning of the Corporations.
3. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Transparent SOPs with timelines for each service to industries should be implemented. Routine files for power connection, water connection etc., should not go to the Ministers.
4. Employment generation
Competent people should get jobs and not through influence. Industries, especially the MSMEs, are the main source of employment, but they need efficiency and accountability. To generate employment, 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.
5. Public Transport and Hostel Facility
To encourage local employment, Government should improve public transport. There is a 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, it may not be economical for some workers to travel every day; these workers then stay in congested rented houses or in slums, creating hygiene and social problems. A hostel facility should be provided for these workers in or around the industrial area.
6. Regulatory Compliances and Inspections
Government has to provide a convenient and easy mechanism for regulatory compliances and inspections. At present, some departments call for various inspections and audits piecemeal, which burden the industries and discourage growth.
Today, the industries can set up the industries in neighbouring States that have a more industry-friendly approach. The State must develop a new Industrial Policy providing an enabling framework that will encourage the establishment and growth of industries.