By Marcellus D’Souza

Apr 28: Pramod Sawant, CM of Goa has given his nod to the Industries Ministry to tweak existing laws which govern the sector.

Minister Mauvin Godinho said he had already sounded out industry bosses about their interest in setting up shop in Goa. “The State government will come up with a "clear-cut, transparent" industry policy, which will facilitate the entry of industries into the State, which would in turn curb unemployment”.

"We are formulating a transparent and good industrial policy where people will feel encouraged to come to a state like Goa. As it is, people love Goa. So if we create those conditions, why will people not come? Do we not need to generate employment for young people? Do we not need to arrest the flight of educated people going to other States, going elsewhere in the world, because there's no opportunity? We have to change all that. Informally, I have discussed with the Chief Minister (industrial policy changes)," Godinho said.

"Industrialists have already started contacting me. I have also been travelling and have met various people," "Everyone wants to come to Goa, but they want circumstances to be so created that they feel like coming. For them, putting up an industry anywhere in the country is the same. Naturally, all of them also say there is no place like Goa. We have to create the circumstances," Godinho said.

"People have already invited me. Before I call them, I should know what I can give them in terms of land, policy and waivers. The only condition perhaps they are asking for is 'SC-ST should be waived'. We do not want any other concessions," he said.

Goa's participation in an international investor meeting to boost the state's chances of attracting investment, was hinted at by the minister. "There was a suggestion even for global investors meet. I have been meeting various industrialists. I said first I will do my homework. I will lay the groundwork and then have the investment meets whether it is in Goa or Mumbai or elsewhere," he said.

Mauvin Godinho had announced, “Industries in Goa will soon be allowed to set up manufacturing facilities, based on self-declarations, to cut down the red-tape involved in processing licences and getting clearance from government agencies”.

"The big change which we are trying to bring in is that of self-declaration. Once we are satisfied that so and so industry is a really good industry, which will generate employment which is eco-friendly which is suitable for Goa, we will give them permission on the basis of self-declaration like it is happening in many states," he said.

"And thereafter they have to comply with various regulations of different departments subsequently. So they would have got all permissions that are necessary to set up alongside the self-declaration. As and when they start their production or they go on stream, before they finally commence production, they would have obtained their permission," Godinho said, adding that new industries would be able to save nearly two years, which are otherwise spent in getting government clearances and permissions.