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Defections-weary parties keen on consensus on Goa's industrial policy

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

Political parties in Goa -- assembly elections are slated for May-end -- are keen on evolving a common minimum programme for industrial growth.

The credit for drilling some economic sense into the parties will go to the Goa arm of the Confederation of Indian Industry.

But it was apparent at a recent seminar that no party had seriously applied its mind to the crucial issue.

The local industry is worried over the endless defections that have rocked the state's political scene, slowing development.

Since 1990, Goa has witnessed ten governments in two assemblies, before finally coming under the President's rule.

"It is extremely important that the economic policies continue even if the seat of power changes due to political upheaval," said Srinivas Dempo, president of the Goa unit of the CII.

Dempo presented a paper at the seminar listing out measures to develop agriculture, industry, tourism, infrastructure and human resources.

All the five major political parties agree that industry is shying away from Goa due to lack of infrastructure. Sops like income tax holidays and sales tax exemption have not helped much either. The state has neither raw material sources nor the market to grow on it own.

"Human resource development is the key factor. Policies must be framed keeping HRD in mind," said Dr Wilfred de Souza, former chief minister and leader of the Goa Rajiv Congress. He assured the industrialists that the front of three regional parties he is planning would provide a comprehensive policy in this regard.

Local leaders blamed the 18-year-long Congress rule which "failed to upgrade socio-economic status of the Goan community". However, Shantaram Naik, the local Congress president, blamed the Election Commission for imposing restrictions on developmental works during election period under the pretext of code of conduct.

Manohar Parrikar, the local Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson, said linking of education policy with industrial policy and agricultural growth, while also building infrastructure in a planned and visionary manner. Controlling wasteful expenditure of finances is also equally important, he added.

Short-sighted planning and dependence on loans have pushed Goa into a debt trap, said Kashinath Jalmi, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party leader. Cut in non-productive, non-plan expenditure and downsizing state administration will help, he said.

Agreed Radharao Gracias, leader of the United Goan Democratic Party. He said bringing down retirement age by four years for a short phase will help. Government employees must be encouraged to go in for voluntary retirement, he added. Every 25th Goan is a government employee, the highest ratio found in the country, he pointed out.

The political parties have highlighted control of wasteful expenditure, promotion of eco-tourism as against beach tourism, infrastructure building with private participation and promotion of the service sector as against the manufacturing sector.

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Goa