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GROWTH-ORIENTED IT POLICY
* The IT policy aims to provide an employment of 50,000 and an investment of Rs 25,000 crores
* The policy also aims at making Goa the most preferred destination for investors
* It foresees to make IT a vibrant industry leading to inclusive growth and employment generation
* The IT policy was framed to boost the IT sector in the State by providing attractive incentives
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PANAJI: The Centre granted its in-principle approval to Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) city at Tuem. "I wanted to notify the IT Policy this year itself. The cabinet note was circulated yesterday and the nod was given today," Parsekar said.
Speaking to The Goan, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said, "Today a meeting of the IT department was held at the Centre. They have granted in-principle approval for setting up ESDM hub at Tuem."
With this approval, the State Government will have to submit a proposal for the project to the Centre.
"We have to now submit the detailed plan with designs after which the Centre will give us grants up to Rs 50 crore. Also, the consultant for the same has been finalised", he said.
The ESDM hub which is proposed to set on a land admeasuring 140 acres approximately will have companies that are involved in the design, test, manufacture, distribution and providing return/ repair services for the electronic components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The proposed electronic city at Tuem had generated controversy among locals, who are aggrieved with the government for not taking the panchayat and villagers into confidence on the proposed project.
They have accused the government of being silent on the type of projects to be set up at the proposed electronic city, authorities have also blamed for acquiring land without consulting locals.
The contentious issue had dominated many gram sabhas in the village, the last being in November, with the locals setting a deadline for the panchayat to get more details on the project, failing with they had threatened to file a PIL in the matter.
Meanwhile, the State Cabinet on Monday gave its nod to the IT Policy. Though there was no cabinet meeting held, the decision was taken through Cabinet by circulation.
