Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa-IDC) has launched the IDC-Connect to improve service delivery, redress grievances and promote the implementation of industry-related schemes in Goa. The initiative is in line with the vision of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. With The motto of Seva, Sahayog, and Swayampurna, the programme aims to maximise utilisation of central and state schemes, especially for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), stated a press release.
As part of the on-going “IDC-Connect” event key departments of IDC met at the Sancoale Industrial Estate where they discussed ways to improve infrastructure and promote ease of doing business. IDC-Connect involves conducting sessions in various industrial estates across Goa. The event is aimed at bringing key departments of IDC to the doorsteps of industries in order to redress individual and collective grievances.
Mauvin Godinho, Minister for Transport, Industries, Panchayat Raj, Trade and Commerce, Protocol & Hospitality, acknowledged a decrease in Sancoale’s Industrial Estates and addressed other relevant concerns. “Security is of paramount importance anywhere. The wall has to be secure and constructed. We have to come down with stringent measures and see that the wall is built. The infrastructure has to be improved and when we talk about infrastructure, the road in the industrial estate needs to be worked upon,” he said.
He further said that the construction of the road from BITS Pilani will increase demand for the Sancoale Industrial Estate, leading to a positive change. He noted that IDC Connect has become a platform to discuss and resolve problems. “Once problems are identified and discussed they can be resolved effectively,” he stressed.
Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, MLA and Chairman of GIDC, stated that the government is keen on addressing industry issues, including neglected infrastructure problems but also expects positive results from the industries. “We are in the direction where most of the issues will get settled. Road and infrastructure issues have been neglected for many years but I’ve made it a point with the help of Ministers and the Hon’ble Chief Minister that we address all these issues,” he said.
Pravimal Abhishek, Managing Director, Goa Industrial Development Corporation, in his address said that the department has been making efforts to address grievances and collaborate with various departments for better services. “We have held meetings with unit holders and tried to understand their grievance and address some of the issues which have been pending for many years in order to provide better services. We have started collaborating with other departments as well,” he said.
He pointed out that the Director of Industries and Commerce has been consistently participating in all the events of IDC. “We have also seen Economic Development Corporation Ltd (EDC), Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (Goa-IPB), Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Factories & Boilers (F&B) Electricity department also joining us on board in this IDC Connect programme and providing various services to the unit holders and addressing their grievance. RBI has also been a part of event,” he said.
According to him, the IDC has covered 11 industrial estates, with Sancoale being the 12th one. “The plan is to cover all 24 industrial estates in 2023 and repeat the programme as a calendar event for the next year,” he said. The Managing Director emphasized the genuine and sincere effort made by IDC to not only solve problems but also come up with new and innovative ideas.
The session held on March 24, 2023 at Tivim and Colvale Industrial Estates, was attended by representatives from the Department of Industries, Trade and Commerce, the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the Economic Development Corporation, the Colvale Industrial Estate Association, and the Tivim Industrial Estate Association. The recent IDC Connect event took place at the Honda, Pissurlem Industrial Estate on April 28, 2023.
In total, 40 industrial unit holders participated in the Tivim and Colvale IDC-Connect session, 60 in the Cuncolim session, and 45 in the Bicholim session.
Such meetings have brought to light various pressing issues concerning the Industrial Estates across the state. Problems with access road, bad condition of internal roads due to potholes, insufficient ESIC dispensary, banks and ATM services, inadequate signage, and the need for speed breakers have been discussed in detail.
Additionally, concerns over the street lights, the cleaning of storm water drainage systems, compound wall/fencing, solid waste management, underground cabling, installation of CCTV, development and cleaning of open spaces, general administration, canteen facility, occupancy certificate, demarcation of industrial estate boundaries, illegal parking, water requirements, clearing of bushes, and the presence of illegal kiosks, among other issues highlighted that will see positive steps being taken in the months to come.
The upcoming sessions of IDC-Connect will be held in various industrial estates across Goa until June 16, 2023. The following meetings are scheduled for May 12 in Margao, June 2 in Mapusa, Pilerne, June 6 in Bethora, Shiroda, Sanguem, Panchawadi, and June 16 in Canacona.
