Porvorim, Aug 22 (TNN): There is so much obstruction and opposition to all government initiatives in the state that not only investors but even Supreme Court judges are scared of coming to Goa, chief minister Manohar Parrikar told the Goa legislative assembly on Thursday.

Replying to the discussion on the Goa appropriation bill, Parrikar said that one aspiring investor told him that it was easier to do business in Delhi because if he paid bribes the completion of his work was guaranteed. "But even after paying money in Goa, there is no guarantee that work would be done," Parrikar said, adding that corruption exists at all levels of bureaucracy.

The chief minister said that the Goa investment promotion bill that was passed on Thursday would make it easier to get new investments to Goa. The investment promotion board, headed by the chief minister, has three cabinet ministers as vice-chairmen and also about six industry experts to lend their expertise.

Parrikar said that the board will not look at housing projects but hotels are allowed. "Unless we get a golf course, we will not get high-end tourists, only backpackers. But this will be built with consideration to the environment," Parrikar said.

Responding to opposition leader Pratapsingh Rane's charge that the government had failed to appoint the Lokayukta as promised in the BJP poll manifesto, Parrikar said that the government did appoint a Lokayukta.

But there was so much "character assassination" against him, especially through "SMS" by one advocate that the former Supreme Court judge decided to go back.

Parrikar said such people are scared of coming to Goa to face so much opposition but still he would try to appoint a Lokayukta within about three months.