Scrap Cyberage, HPCC; bring back IT Habitat: Goa CCI

Scrapping of the Cyberage Scheme, HPCC stopping of illegal mining and revival of the Rajiv Gandhi IT habitat project are some of proposals made by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) for the Goa Budget 2010-11. In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Digamabar Kamat, GCCI President Cesar Menezes has asked for immediate revival of IT Habitat project, which was kept on hold following an agitation by Taleigao villagers.
"There is no infrastructure to set up new Information Technology units in Goa and thus there is an urgent need for revival of the IT Habitat," the memorandum says.

The letter says that apart from this, the government should also extend its budgetary support to the GCCI's endeavour in setting up an IT Incubator at its Verna building.
"This will help new start-ups and has good potential to create quality jobs for Goan IT graduates," the memorandum says adding, "The GCCI is equally worried about the inward migration as it is concerned about the outward migration of the State's educated youth."

The GCCI has also demanded scrapping of the Cyberage scheme and instead efforts should be made to set up computer labs. "These labs should be particularly in rural areas, where students from schools should be imparted computer education," the GCCI memorandum stated.

The GCCI also sighted that Goa has got ample scope to emerge as a Education hub. "Private participation in setting up Educational institutions should be encouraged by setting up educational estates," it said. It also suggested that the Education Ministry should be renamed as Ministry of Education, Skills and Creativity with stress on skill development. "All the related departments like technical education and Craftsman Training should be integrated under an Education Council," it said.

Further, the GCCI has asked for scrapping of HPCC (high powered coordination committee for industries) and set up an Investment Promotion Board with statutory powers for speedy implementation of projects. To improve the Industrial Climate, the GCCI wants government to delock the land allotted for SEZs and allot them to new applicants. Also, it said that many plots remain un-utilized and many units have grabbed large plots which are marginally utilized.

"Steps should be taken to revert un-utilised and excess land back to GIDC within a definite time frame. Also, many units have been closed and their plots are locked up in Bank mortgages. Steps should be taken to negotiate with the banks to get these plots released so that they can be allotted to new industries," it said adding "Steps should be taken to improve infrastructure at the existing industries, instead of setting up new industrial estates."
Further, GCCI said, that there was a need for a long term economic plan.
"The Chamber strongly recommends a task force to devise a long term economic plan for the State," it said.

Tourism: Tourism in Goa, of late, is getting a bad name with Goa slowly emerging as a drug and sex destination, GCCI observed. "There is no basic tourism and entertainment infrastructure in the State. Problems of law and order and garbage will spell doom for the State tourism," it felt adding "Budgetary allocations be made to improve the tourism infrastructure. There is also need to encourage private participation in development of tourism infrastructure."

Illegal Mining: Illegal mining is creating huge and irreparable damage to the State ecology, GCCI said. "The State is loosing huge revenues on account of illegal mining. It should be stopped forthwith with legal provisions for stringent punishment, including life imprisonment, for all those involved in illegal mining," it said.

Logistics: There is urgent need to integrate the port, airport, railways and road network infrastructure in the State, GCCI felt. "There should be special cell to deal with the Central and State authorities for integrating these infrastructures so that Goa may emerge as logistic hub," it suggested adding "It is demanded that a State Maritime Board be set up immediately to develop and regulate all Port and River Navigation activities."

Also, GCCI said, steps should be taken for nationalization of Inland Waterways. "Capital Dredging of inland waterways and developing the State's inland waterways for hinterland tourism and other purposes is the need of the hour," it said.

Revenue generation: The GCCI felt that State needs to rationalize power tariffs with a unified power tariff structure. "Improvement in water distribution system is needed. Lot of wheeled mining and earthmoving machinery is not being registered by RTO citing flimsy reasons. This is causing huge loss of revenues to the State," it said adding, "The RTO should be directed to register these vehicles with immediate effect."