the goan I network
VASCO
A day after announcing procedures to restart industries in the State, the Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) made it clear that guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would have to be followed in totality and every industry planning to restart operations would have to give an undertaking in this regard.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, GSIA President Damodar Kochkar said health was a top priority and there should be no risk to lives while industries resumed operations.
“We are fortunate to have very few COVID-19 cases in Goa and every industry planning to restart operations in the State should give an undertaking of compliance of MHA guidelines and those industries who cannot offer such compliance cannot restart or should not restart operations.”
“We should continue to remain safe and if Goa has to remain safe, we cannot allow people from outside states to enter Goa. Most companies have some supervisors from other states and we are being questioned if we can allow those people.”
“The government is very clear that at least till May 3, anyone staying outside Goa cannot be allowed to enter or work in Goan industries and the GSIA has already indicated this,” said Kochkar.
Kochkar said the new simplified procedures were designed in the larger interest of industries.
“Initially, it was decided to restart industries after taking permission from the collector, but with the collector being busy with many other issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was becoming difficult to obtain this permission.”
“The bureaucrats headed by Chief Secretary Parimal Raj have extended excellent support to ensure that industries can be restarted smoothly. Of all industrial hubs in the country, Goa was the first one to start pharmaceutical companies very
efficiently, after all hurdles were promptly cleared by the government.”
“The world is dependent on India and pharmaceutical units in Goa have ensured that products have been exported on time,” added Kochkar.
