the goan I network
PANAJI
Every job at the forthcoming Mopa International Airport will be reserved for Goans, as the government has already made special provisions in agreement with stakeholder companies for the same, said Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu.
“At the new Mopa airport, every job is reserved for Goans. This is a part of the agreement,” Prabhu said.
The Union Minister was speaking at the launch of the Goa Policy Document, Goa Angel Network, start-up schemes and the Goa start-up portal, which disseminates information about schemes and policy.
Speaking at the launch, Prabhu stated, “Start up schemes and ecosystem surrounding it will thrive after this launch and Goa will be the future hub of start-ups in India. We will arrange a global start-ups event in Goa every year. I am also working on regulation of start-ups using a new yardstick.”
He also stated that the government plans to turn Goa into a logistics hub of the country.
“We are going to make Goa the logistics hub of the country. There are four coastal states on the Western coast- Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa. After Mumbai, the biggest airport that is going to come up is in Goa (in Mopa),” he said.
He said the existence of two airports in Goa, including the second facility at Mopa, which will be commissioned in 2020, would help position Goa as a logistics hub.
He also expressed his desire to develop Mopa into a cargo hub. The central government has initiated a process to draft a cargo policy; hence the Commerce Secretary is expected to visit the state soon and discuss its aspects, said Prabhu. Mopa will have a capacity to handle up to 30 million passengers a year, added the Minister.
“We want to make sure that while it handles the passenger traffic, it also handles the cargo. The government of India is making a cargo policy, wherein the cargo will also drive the country’’s economy,” he said.
“Total 40 per cent of the GDP will come from global trading like import and export. We want to make cargo as a major driver (of the economy),” he said.
The Centre and state government must work in tandem to leverage the advantages that the state offers, he said.
The existing airport at Dabolim is also getting upgraded with the investment of Rs 500-600 crore, the minister added.
IT Minister Rohan Khaunte, Chief Secretary Dharmendra Sharma, Businessman Shrinivas Dempo, IT Secretary Ameya Abhyankar were also present on this occasion
Khaunte while explaining key features of the policy informed that the government will give upto Rs 10 lakh one-time subsidy and a lump sum of Rs 10 lakh as loan to promote start-ups. “Start-ups employing 60% locals will get 25% subsidy on salaries and wages from the government,” he added.
