Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant stated that the Central Government is helping in exploring blue economic activities in Goa. He said that the government has undertaken various educational activities. On the 50th anniversary of MES College, Zuarinagar, Dr. Sawant felicitated the senior teaching staff and applauded their contribution in the production of valuable human resources for the State. On the maritime sector, he said: “Recently the first maritime cluster was started in India. We have managed to bring the first maritime cluster to Goa. Students who are graduating will have bright future in the maritime cluster in Goa.” Dr Sawant asked private companies to invest in the blue economy in a bid to ensure a brighter future for Goa and the country
Goa is participating in the 40th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF), where it hopes to highlight the tourist state as a promising destination for tourism as well as private investments.
Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at PragatiMaidan in New Delhi, IITF is one of the most awaited trade fairs in the South-Asian region.
Goa languishes at the bottom of the logistics index
Goa continues to maintain its position at the bottom of the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) ranking for 2021, despite its natural advantages. Goa stood at the 18th position in the 2021 LEADS report released by the Union Ministry of Commerce due to poor infrastructure, high transportation costs, and regulatory constraints. Much as Goa improved its ranking by three positions as compared to the 2019 index, the relatively low score goes to show that despite the State Government’s intent, not much has been done to change things on the ground. The report ranks the states based on their logistics ecosystem, highlights the key-logistics-related challenges faced by the stakeholders, and includes recommendations.
As per the report, Goa needs to improve the availability and quality of infrastructure, especially road, rail, and terminal infrastructure.
Goa has a low score when it comes to road freight rates and prices of terminal services, which in turn leads to high transportation costs. Goa has tried to address these challenges by granting industry status to the logistics sector and by preparing a State Logistics Policy.
CM STATES THAT PENDING PAYMENTS FOR GOVT SCHEMES WILL BE CLEARED BY YEAR-END
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has announced that pending payments of various schemes like GrihaAadhar, DSSY, and scholarships will be cleared by December 31. Sawant was addressing people at the ‘Sarkar tumchyadari’ programme at St Thomas Higher Secondary School at Aldona wherein people in large numbers participated.
Sawant said that despite the pandemic, the government did not stop extending benefits of any social welfare schemes. He pointed out that electricity charges are low for both residential and commercial premises, that Goa is 100 per cent electrified, and if there are people who have missed out then they could contact the Department. “Recently 100 houses were supplied electricity through solar power,” said Sawant. He further said that 70,000 beneficiaries in Goa benefited under Jan Dhan Yojana as during the covid pandemic `6,000 was deposited in each of these beneficiaries’ accounts.
Mining companies challenge recovery notices
Some mining companies have approached the Union Ministry of Mines to challenge the recovery notices issued by the State Government based on the audit report prepared by a team of chartered accountants on illegal mining. The Directorate of Mines and Geology is considering issuing reminder notices to the companies, which have not paid as per recovery notices. The Directorate has issued recovery notices to the tune of `360 crore, but only `100 crore has been recovered until date. Senior officials stated that if a mining company does not pay the amount within 60 days from the issuance of the notice then they have to pay 18% interest on the amount. The State Government had issued these notices to the companies in April. 15 chartered accountants were appointed by the Government in 2015 to undertake a comprehensive audit of leaseholders and traders of mineral ore in Goa during the past five years, when exports touched peak figures. The Mines Department analysed the report to ascertain the exact loss due to illegal mining.
STATE GOVERNMENT TO WOO TOURISTS, INDUSTRY AT INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR
Goa is participating in the 40th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF), where it hopes to highlight the tourist state as a promising destination for tourism as well as private investments.
Organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) at PragatiMaidan in New Delhi, IITF is one of the most awaited trade fairs in the South-Asian region.
Goa is being represented by the Department of Information and Publicity (DIP), Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (Goa-IPB), Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the Department of Tourism, along with several other departments.
Apart from the day-to-day activities, there will be cultural performances by the Goan folk artistes depicting the rich cultural traditions and sale of Goan handicrafts and artifacts by the artisans.
Besides the rich cultural heritage, Goa’s hospitality sector will be projected and efforts will be made to promote Goa as an international tourist destination, as well as attract investment to boost industrial growth and tourism activity in Goa.
The Government has further stated that the Goa pavilion has been aesthetically designed to depict Goan architecture and the achievements of the State Government.
Subsidy for fish vendors on purchase of accessories
Those fish vendors who have registered themselves with the Directorate of Fisheries in the State can now avail of a subsidy for the purchase of accessories required for fish vending, so that fish can be delivered to consumers in hygienic conditions.
By way of this scheme, fish vendors can purchase accessories such as crates, weighing balance, insulated box, gloves, stool, and platform to keep fish, choppers, and other equipment.
Beneficiaries belonging to the general category are eligible for the grant of 50% subsidy limited to `10000 on a unit cost of `20000. The beneficiary belonging to SC/ST/woman category is eligible for the grant of 60% subsidy limited to `12,000 on a unit cost of `20,000. There are different types of fish vendors in Goa such as those that sell fish door-to-door, with a bicycle or a motorcycle or a rickshaw or fish vans, as well as in fish markets in villages and municipal areas. The beneficiary can avail the scheme once every three years. As per the scheme, the beneficiary should produce bills from the registered dealers towards the purchase of accessories required for fish vending and other equipment related to the fish vendor.
State grants 50% reimbursement on major tourism activities
The Goa government has decided to give 50% rebate on the renewal charges of major tourism activities. A notification stating the same was released by the Department of Tourism in a bid to reduce the burden on tourism stakeholders whose business had been badly affected due to the pandemic.
According to it, the stakeholders of tourism activities like hotels, dealers, travel agents, tour operators, private shacks and private huts, photographers, tourist guides, hoteliers and unemployed youths, and spice plantations who had renewed/registered their registration certificates during the financial year 2021-22 will get the benefit of 50% rebate.
As for the stakeholders who have already made a complete payment of their renewal charges for the current financial year, the fees will be adjusted against the charges payable for the oncoming year.
Non-issuance of visas may hit bookings
Much as the Union government has started issuing visas to travelers from the UK, British tourists who are keen on visiting Goa aren’t likely to have it easy. They are forced to visit their local high commission office for a visa as India does not provide them e-visas. Ralph de Souza, President, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated that it is not easy to get a visa and visitors to the State were usually senior citizens who travelled to Goa to avoid the harsh winters of England. “They are eager to come but are having difficulties getting visas.”
Further, there are pending applications to account for, as several Indian expats were unable to visit their home country over the past two years, due to the pandemic.
Indian expats too, are having problems getting their visas stamped, as processing of applications takes time.
De Souza added that although India has removed quarantine conditions and has allowed vaccinated travelers entry, the critical issue is that visas are difficult to get and that the only solution is that India starts issuing e-visas. He also stated that if the issue was not sorted out, Goa will have fewer footfalls from England.
Ralph de Sousa said that GCCI has made a representation to the Chief Minister to intervene in the matter. The Chamber has also requested help of the Union Minister Shripad Naik. India is also not issuing e-visas to travelers from Kazakhstan, another country that matters to Goa for tourism.
Government preparing 100% renewable energy plan
Goa is in the process of preparing a 100% renewable energy plan with the assistance from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to achieve the goal of cent per cent use of renewable energy. Currently, Goa requires about 540MW of electricity during the day and 640MW during the night, i.e., from 6pm to 11pm. Even though the government has announced a 50% subsidy on the standard costs of solar panel installation, presently only about 15MW installations have been completed. The State has decided to set up solar power plants at Amthanem, Anjunem, Chapoli and Selaulim dams on a design, build, finance and operate model for a span of 25 years and has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from interested developers.
Mineral Corporation report on leases expected around November-end
The Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (MECL) is likely to submit the report on mining leases inspection by the end of November, based on the report the State Government will take a decision on the number of leases to be put for auction. MECL representatives have begun inspections of 77 leases in order to quantify the ore in these leases, after which the leases will be auctioned. Further, MECL will also determine if there is any kind of vegetation or habitation on the land.
The Government submitted documents pertaining to these leases to MECL. Earlier, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Government with MECL in order to identify new iron ore mines in the State.
Given the delay in resumption of mining activities, a mining corporation was formed by the State Government to identify new mineral blocks, in order to restart mining.
A senior official of MECL stated that once they finalize the blocks to be auctioned, the leases will be transferred to the mining corporation, and later auctioned.
Mining in Goa came to a stop in March 2018 following the decision of the Supreme Court to quash the second renewal of 88 mining leases.
