----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Ramakant Kamat <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, 29 November, 2007 11:58:48 AM
Subject: Letter to Editor
The Editor,
Navhind Times,
Panaji – Goa .
Dear Sir ,
Sub: Letters to the editor
There is a lot of controversy being created about the proposed SEZs
in Goa. In this regard I would like to place my views on the subject ,
with a request to kindly publish the same in your esteemed daily.
With the literacy rate growing up, there is a tendency among the Goan
youth to move away from agricultural sector. This coupled with the
growing input costs is constantly pushing down the growth of the
agricultural sector in Goa which currently contributes only about 11 % to
the State GDP. This will adversely impact the capacity of this
sector, which traditionally was the biggest generator of jobs in the
rural area, to provide gainful employment opportunities.
The other biggest employment providers in the State are mining and
tourism. The mines which were located in the interior and relatively backward
areas contributed to employment throughout Goa , not only by the pithead
operations but also by development of ancillary enterprises like
transportation of mined ore in barges on the main rivers to the major ports of
discharge. The mining also gave rise to a host of other services
like truck transportation , repair workshops , retailers dealing in spares
and lubricants etc.
With constant depleting of the non-renewable mining reserves, the
employment opportunities offered by this sector will shrink in the
years to come.
With the fragile and cyclic nature of the tourism industry,
over-dependence on this sector could spell doom for Goan economy and
its potential to provide quality jobs to Goan youth.
The other issue is about the migrants grabbing jobs in all the
major sectors of the economy. Most of the lower level jobs in the
fishing , tourism , construction , security agencies and PWD contracts
industry are today taken up by migrants from the neighboring States.
There is a reluctance amongst Goan youth to take up these jobs , as
being better educated , they are looking for good jobs. This puts
additional pressure on the Government to create more jobs.
On one side the job opportunities are dwindling, with decline of
agriculture and Government not being able to provide more jobs. A look
at the Goan population’s age group , presents a frightening scenario.
As per the 2001 census published in the Goa State Economic Survey ,
presently there are about 1,10,000 persons in the 50-59 age group ,
who will retire in the next 5-8 years. At the same time there are
about 2,45,000 persons in the 10-19 age group who will enter the job
market in the next 5-8 years. Also presently there are about 1,00,000
persons without jobs who are registered with the employment exchange -
though this figure is admittedly suspect as most persons who register
with Employment Exchange do not withdraw their names from the
Un-employed register in the hope of landing a better or Government job. Even
if we discount the
Employment Exchange figure entirely , in the next 5-8 years , we have to
provide jobs for nearly 1,35,000 Goans. There is not much thought
given to create jobs for these Goans.
Under these circumstances, the only option is to encourage setting up
of industries , IT /ITES and service industry which have capacity to
create large number of well paid jobs.
But with no significant tax benefits in the State , coupled with excise
and income tax benefits available to Northern and North Eastern states
and aggressive investment facilitation done by major States like
Gujarat , Maharashtra , Karnataka and Andhra , no major industrial
investments are flowing into Goa. Though Goa enjoyed some tax benefits
, for about 10 years prior to March 2004 , it must be understood that
it was a recessionary period and not many big investments were
made. One of the way to attract good investments in Goa is through
the SEZ route.
We may certainly differ on the number of jobs that are required to
be created for Goans or on the number of jobs likely to be created
by SEZs , but certainly we cannot deny that there is urgent need
for creation of jobs for Goans and that SEZs is one of the way to
attract industry to Goa for creation of those jobs.
However , it must be stressed that whether within SEZ or outside SEZ,
we must ensure that only those industries suitable for Goa must be
encouraged. In this respect , I appreciate the stand taken by Goa
Chamber of Commerce and Industry wherein they are recommending that
industry specific SEZs for IT , ITES , Biotec , Gems and Jewellery
industries which are environment friendly and which can be manned by
Goans be encouraged. Simultaneously the State Government has to ensure
that these SEZs create their own infrastructure which can complement ,
and not put pressure on, the existing infrastructure like power and
water. Further the State Government has to conduct a proper survey of
manpower available in the State and accordingly restrict the number
of SEZs so that the State’s demographic and socio cultural balance is
maintained.
I would also request all those who are opposing the SEZs to come up
with alternate strategy for attracting job creating industries to Goa.
If an alternative to SEZs is found , we can all join together for
dumping the SEZ route.
Ramakant Kamat
Gogol- Margao
29/11/2007
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