Goa cabinet approves IT Policy 2018

The Goa Cabinet today approved Information Technology policy 2018 which focuses on reverse migration and creation of around 10,000 jobs in the next five years.

The IT policy would be formally unveiled by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad here on July 15, State IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said.

The Cabinet meeting, presided by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, approved the IT policy which has provisions for growth and development of Goa, its human capital and to foster growth of smaller businesses, the minister told reporters.

He said the policy aims at "reverse migration" of manpower in Goa and on generation of 8,000-10,000 job opportunities at different levels during the next five years.

"The policy has a provision for developing a Technology Park, ready-to-move warm shells, plug-and-play facilities, incubation centres with training etc. for new and existing IT units," the minister said.

He said incentives would be provided to the units that recruit pass-outs from technical institutes in Goa.

Additional incentives would be given for recruitments made through the on-campus placements, the minister said.

The policy also envisages establishment of centres of excellence in collaboration with industry to promote skill development amongst faculty and staff of technical institutes.

The IT department will also have training programs and knowledge-sharing camps in collaboration with industry and state to enhance skill quotient of the students, Khaunte said.

He said special incentives are also proposed under the policy for units that are registered in Goa and owned by or have a majority stake-holder of the Goan origin.

The policy also has the provision for incentives for MNCs looking to start operations in Goa.