'Goa draft industrial policy likely to be submitted next week'

Panaji: The much-awaited draft of Goa's Investment and Industrial Policy is likely be submitted to the state government next week as the high-level task force is awaiting final presentations by various stakeholders, a senior member has said.

The draft policy aims at attracting investment of around Rs 5,000 crore and creating 50,000 jobs in the next five years in the state, where investment has dried down due to faulty government policies in the last half a decade.

"Mostly by next week, the draft policy would be ready and it will be submitted to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar," a senior member of the committee said.

The task force, headed by the Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) Goa chapter chief Atul Pai Kane, has been holding meetings every alternate day to work on the policy, which is expected to chart out a roadmap for industrial development of this coastal state.

"The labour union leaders would be making their presentations in the next couple of days, while BJP legislator Ganesh Gaonkar has also sought time to give his view points considering his constituency," another member said.

Gaonkar represents Sanvordem constituency, a predominantly mining belt, where industrial growth has stagnated due to current ban on extraction and transport of ore.

Once the draft policy is ready, it would be open for public suggestions and recommendations, depending on which it will take the final shape.

Manohar Parrikar-led government had formed the task force to work out the policy after they realised that the "industrial growth has come to a virtual standstill".

The committee is represented by various stakeholders.

PTI