PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has indicated a push to development in the cities of Margao, Mapusa and Vasco on the scale and magnitude of the 'smart city' work done in Panaji.
"Panaji was developed under the Amrut Mission. Now Vasco, Margao and Mapusa too will be developed with the help of the Central government," Sawant said while addressing Goa's industry and business community late Saturday night.
He also said that an optical-fibre network for top-notch connectivity will be set up pan-Goa within the next two years.
Sawant was addressing the 117th annual general meeting of Goa's premier industry body -- the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry -- where Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho, outgoing GCCI chief Srinivas Dempo, president-elect Pratima Dhond and CEO of Kirolskar industries, Sanjay Kirloskar among others were present.
Sawant also dwelt on his government's thrust to developing waterways in the State saying it is being done purely for tourism purposes and that his government will not permit any increase of port coal handling from the current levels.
He urged the industry captains to help the government keep Goa clean and green even as he exhorted them to give impetus to manufacturing.
"The industrial sector should take the lead in bringing about an industrial revolution in Goa but also keep the State clean and green," Sawant said and pledged government-backing to achieve it by giving top priority to green industry.
Some industry-linked developmental work of his government which Sawant listed out in his speech included the setting up of an industrial waste treatment plant at Pissurlem but lamented that of the 350 establishments operating in Goa, only around 50 were sending their hazardous waste there.
"The remaining establishments are disposing waste incorrectly. Industries need to understand that such waste needs to be disposed properly. Any bottlenecks faced may be discussed with the government," Sawant said.
He also added that almost all of the bio-medical waste produced in the State is being disposed off scientifically and that Goa is leading in the country on this front.
Meanwhile, with the GCCI now having a woman president in Dhond for the first time since its inception over a century ago, Sawant said Goa can become a model for women-led development.
He said, 50 percent of the total start-ups in Goa are run by women and women self-help groups were also making good progress even as he urged industry leaders to assist women entrepreneurs.
