Consultation process for new industry policy on: Goa Minister for industries Mauvin Godinho

PANAJI: Minister for industries Mauvin Godinho on Monday said that he has started the consultation process for the framing of the new industrial policy that is aimed at streamlining processes to encourage new investors and industries to come to the state. Godhino said that he has also sought the opinion of industry stakeholders.
“Right now I am in the process of consulting and getting the opinion of various stakeholders. Today I held a detailed discussion with the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on several matters, including how to streamline the process to allot land to industries,” the minister said.
The state government is in discussions to find a way to allot land to industries in a transparent manner, Godinho said.
“My thrust would be on encouraging Goan industry. We will give first preference to Goans who want to expand their industry in the industrial estate. However, while giving them preference, we have to also bring in new industry to the state. Both these things have to happen simultaneously,” Godinho said.
On the breakdown of Kadamba Transport Corporation (KTC) buses, Godinho, who is also the transport minister, said that the corporation has issued the driver a memo for failing to check the fuel level due to which passengers were left inconvenienced on the Ponda-Savoi Verem-Volvoi route.
He also said that to protect the environment more electric buses will be added to the KTC fleet.
“The number of charging stations are few, which is posing an issue, but I have directed officials to put up more charging stations on KTC owned property so that the efficiency of these buses increases,” Godinho said.
He said that by the end of the year KTC will have 100 electric buses. Already 100 have been sanctioned but we have asked for 550 additional buses, which will be sanctioned soon, the minister said.
“I have said that Goa needs 1,200 electric buses. In bigger states they get buses in thousands. If they give the same number to Goa then we can have all electric buses plying, which will be a good thing for the state.”