At a recently concluded event, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant applauded the information-technology (IT) sector for creating right kind of jobs in the State and also for bringing back a lot of Goans back to Goa.
CM went on to praise the IT sector by saying that already Goa has tech companies focusing on Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Marine Architecture, Fin Tech, Agro Tech etc. It is evident that Dr Sawant understands and appreciates the positive impact the IT sector has had on the State. What must be acknowledged is that so far the IT sector has grown on its own, with very little support from the State Government. But, as these companies grow bigger, they would need the government to extend to them all kinds of support.
This is where Dr Sawant will have to step in to ensure that IT companies do get the support, more specifically the benefits and incentives, assured to them under the IT Policy and the Start-up Policy. Both the policies have been universally hailed as great documents, but their implementation has been slow. More than a year has passed that the IT Policy was notified, and close to two years have gone by since the Start-up Policy was notified.
But, even today, the government ends up taking too much time to give subsidies and incentives promised under the policy to IT companies. In the case of many companies, their expansion plans depend upon whether they get a subsidy from the government or not.
For example: Under the IT Policy, the government gives one-time rebate for purchase of land to create IT office space up to 60 per cent of the cost of the land. These subsidies are in the right direction. But little purpose will be served if the government drags its feet and delays granting of the subsidies. It is also true that there are IT companies, which are still not registered with the government. The government must step up efforts in all talukas of the State to spread the word about both IT and Start-up policies.
The CM should instruct all the MLAs to spread awareness about IT policies in their respective constituencies. People from all walks of life in Goa must realize that young IT entrepreneurs are the role models for the students and the next generation. Historically, Goa has lagged behind other states when it comes to industrial development. Now, with the growth in IT companies, there are a number of self-made businessmen, who can inspire the youth to follow their passion.
In a short span, IT companies have put Goa on the world map. With CM’s support, the companies can go a long way in transforming Goa’s society.
