Panaji, May 24 (TNN): The information technology industry in the state got a shot in the arm as chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar unveiled the draft information technology investment policy 2015 amid much fanfare at the two-day elets knowledge exchange programme. The programme has been jointly organized by the department of information technology, government of Goa and Elets Technomedia, a technology media and research company that focuses on ICT in governance.

Aimed at IT, IT-enabled services, electronics system design manufacturing, startups, animation, visual effects and game design companies, the draft IT policy offers a slew of benefits on the taxation front as well as other incentives. The policy also aims at slowing down the trend of Goan IT professionals moving out of the state in search of jobs.

"This is a draft policy and it is open for discussions and suggestions," Parsekar said. "We plan to come out with the final policy in a month's time."

The Goa IT-investment policy has been framed by the department of IT and has taken inputs from similar policies of neighbouring states, director of IT Shilpa Shinde said. Shinde led a team of IT department officials in preparing the draft policy over the last two months.

The draft policy offers eligible and registered companies a slew of concessions on stamp duty, electricity duty, central sales tax and entry tax. There is a rider for central sales tax as the policy states that the benefit will cease to exist once theGST comes into play which is likely to happen in the next financial year.

In an effort to convince IT companies to invest in Goa, Parsekar also went on to point out that Goa boasted the lowest tariff for power and water and also had a peaceful atmosphere.

It also offers highly subsidized land as per notified rates and going all out to woo large companies, the policy also offers an FAR of 150 for buildings located in the IT Park at Chimbel or at the electronic manufacturing cluster city at Tuem. All companies that invest in Goa within the notified area will be eligible for additional rebate of 20% on the notified rates by the revenue department, the policy says.

Parsekar met key industry officials and company representatives on a personal basis to receive inputs and suggestions that will help fine-tune the draft IT policy.

With the creation of world class IT infrastructure as its objective, the policy has also paid attention to IT startups, giving a boost to Goa's entrepreneurs. "To provide a level playing field to the start ups, to maximize direct and indirect employment opportunities for the youth in the state in the field of IT/ITES/ESDM industry," is stated in the 11-page policy.

"Attractive policy incentives along with the excellent air, rail, road connectivity and a highly literate English speaking population would facilitate in promoting the state's vision," Parsekar said in his address to potential investors. "Goa's strong cultural base along with technological support are an advantage."

The draft IT policy brings hope to the 500-odd IT graduates who move across the country in search of jobs due to lack of job opportunities in the state.

The government is working on setting up an electronic manufacturing cluster in Tuem, Pernem and an IT park at Chimbel, Tiswadi.