the goan I network
PANAJI
At the Meeting organised by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) to discuss the recent increase in GIDC lease rentals, the members of the chamber and representatives of various Industrial estate associations across Goa felt that the recent hike by GIDC has been huge and manifold increase as compared to the existing lease rent paid by them, thereby imposing a huge financial burden on them.
They questioned the purpose of such a high increase and felt that the ostensible reason of maintenance of infrastructure in the industrial estates did not warrant such an increase.
The members also strongly felt that having contributed house taxes, infrastructure taxes as well as other charges like water bills, transfer and sublease charges and other fees besides considering the contribution of the industry to the Government exchequer by way of different taxes, provision of employment to substantial number of people in the state, it was the duty of the government to support the industry by taking care of the maintenance and creation of the infrastructure.
The members present decided to communicate to GIDC to defer the hike on the lease rentals as of now and also decided to pursue with the Government either to give yearly grants to GIDC to take care of infrastructure or alternatively to take over the maintenance of infrastructure through its own departments like PWD and Electricity Department.
The members also expressed strong resentment of failure of GIDC to provide basic facilities to the industry, failure to address industry grievances in time as well as inefficiency and lack of transparency in the GIDC functioning. The members also felt that industry was being made a soft target to address the financial difficulties of GIDC.
The members decided to unite together along with other industry associations to strongly pursue with the Government their demands .
