Experts want the government to set up micro-estates near the panchayats to boost local industry instead of large industrial estates
In order to improve the industrialscenario in the state the state government has proposed the setting up of industrialestates in Bicholim-Latembarcem, Tiswadi-Carambolim and Canacona-Poinguinim.
Mahadev Naik, the industry ministersaid “The addition of these three new industrial estates will certainly improvethe scenario”.
With the hinterland not industrialised, these new industrial estates are expected to provide employmentto thousands of Goans in these backward areas. In Canacona about three lakhsquare meters of land has been acquired for the industrial estate in Sadolxam.Ramesh Tawadkar, sports minister and local MLA of the area, “We are very clearthat we only want non-polluting industries in Canacona. With the new industrialestate we expect 1,000 jobs to be generated.”
However critics are of the opinionthat it is a move to appease the local MLA’s of these constituencies. Theyaccused the government of taking over open land wherever it existed andannouncing industrial estates in the absence of an industrial policy.
An industrialist said “We are goingback to the old days, when an industrial estate was set up in the minister’sconstituency resulting in him having complete control of the estate”.
Blaise Costabir of Zarakh Molders said“Instead of create industrial estates, the government should focus on IT parks,where soft skills, which Goans have can be put to use.”
Experts felt the government should setup micro estates near the panchayats to boost local industries.
Industrialists are however unhappy withthe decision to set up new industrial estates in the state given that 22 suchestates already exist. They ask if any feasibility study has been conducted andif Goans would benefit or would this result in labour being imported.
Anil Kher, chairman Confederation of Indian Industries said,“Goa is a small state and it needs small industries. If large industries areentertained Goa will not have the manpower for them.”
In addition the Goa IndustrialDevelopment Corporation (GIDC) is already reeling under several land scams. Ithas been unable to handle the existing infrastructure of 22 industrial estates.“How are they going to handle three new additional industrial estates? Where isthe demand?” questions Blaise. The proposal for the three new industrialestates was put by the previous Congress government.
Sources said, “It is notgoing to be an easy task and may take a long time for industry to develop. Pharmaand other industries are not growing. It is time that the quality of business conductedin the state changes.”
