PANAJI
Without taking names, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday virtually slammed 10 years of BJP rule in Goa, lamenting the state of affairs in the state's industries sector, especially the shambles in which the numerous industrial estates in Goa are languishing in.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with top officials of the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Goa State Industries Association, Godinho also hinted at tweaking existing regulations which govern the industries sector, while also announcing a firm push to make Goa a premier logistics hub.
"Goan industries were not getting land for expansion, they have some difficulties. Goan industries should get the first chance to expand. Second, why are new industries not coming to Goa. They are not getting land and the facilities that they need. Conditions in industrial estates are pathetic, roads are poor, street lights are non-functional, there is no maintenance," Godinho said, adding that the industry stakeholders spoke to him about the key issues faced by them in the coastal state.
"Other states manage to attract big industries, MNCs, (but) why are they not coming to Goa? We need to bring about this change and in order to bring this change, we may have to change some laws, whether it is changing or tweaking IPB regulations or (clearing) IDC Act bottlenecks," Godinho said, adding that industrialists find it difficult to even conduct a simple transfer (of land) in industrial estates.
"They said they have been struggling for the last 10 years. I told them that the issues will be resolved as soon as possible," Godinho said after meeting the CII and GSIA delegations on Wednesday. BJP-led dispensations have been in power in the state since 2012.
Godinho also said that he met top officials including Industries Secretary, Director of the Industries department as well as officials of the state government's Investment Promotion Board to prepare a plan to address short, medium and long term tasks before the sector.
Godinho, who has served as the state Industries Minister in the 1990s, also said that Goa had the potential to become a major logistical hub, citing the examples of Singapore and Dubai.
"Goa can be a major logistical hub because it is so well located. We have a second airport coming up. We have broadgauging of railways taking place. We have a good port. We can be a multi-nodal hub. Why can this not happen?" Godinho said.
"Singapore, Dubai are desert areas. They have become major logistical hubs. Goa is blessed with everything and by making it a logistical hub you are not spoiling the environment. You are not getting a hazardous industry, only you are handling goods and sending them to other places in the country or the rest of the world," he added.
