Former governor of Reserve Bank of India and noted economist Dr Urjit Patel opines Information Technology is an ideal sector for Goa to think about. He feels Goa can decongest Bengaluru as the hub of R&D and IT. Dr Urjit basis his argument on the fact that real estate prices are much lower compared to the metros, coupled with a high per capita income.
However, several factors go against Goa and at the current rate competing with Bengaluru in the IT space appears to be a blurred and distant dream. Dr Urjit was right on the money when he pointed out that infrastructure issues like power need to be fixed. But that is the issue Goa is grappling with since decades and successive power ministers have only flattered to deceive.
Leave aside infrastructure issues Goa has failed to create an IT-friendly environment in the first place. If power outages are the hallmarks, there are major issues with internet connectivity too, even in cities. IT industries will not come to any State with such limitations, even if other parameters like land are favourable.
Goa has an IT policy and an IT start-up policy in place, but how much of headway have we achieved in this sector? Lip service has been paid to this sector with plans of IT hubs and policies remaining only on paper. A first-time minister Jennifer Monserrate is handed over the charge of this crucial portfolio. May we ask how far we have progressed on the IT front?
We have grandiose plans of making Goa into an IT hub, logistics hub, sports tourism hub, education hub and a hub in many other sectors. Has the government done a review of all such promises and their delivery? Or are these just sugar-coated announcements to momentarily appease disenchanted citizens? The government has been promising single-window clearances and ease of doing business. The last time we heard about this was in October at the Vibrant Goa summit at Bambolim. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant promised clearances within 30 days. But, welcome to 2020 and ground realities continue to paint a grim picture.
Switching over to a cashless state on a piecemeal basis doesn’t make us an IT-savvy state. The serpentine queues of people sweating it out to pay their monthly utility bills tell a different story. Charity begins at home, so goes the adage and government should take the initiative of adapting to IT in its administration. Goa government’s IT-illiteracy is exposed because officials in some departments are still ignorant of emails and social media platforms. The lack of awareness and education of IT basics are showing when email responses come slower than snail mail. And it is here that the government has to take its first step. Distributing free laptops under cyberage schemes can’t change Goa into an IT-oriented State either.
Yes, Dr Urjit, Goa can make it big in IT, but first, we need serious intent to move forward. A lot needs to change.
