Open to suggestions on Investment Promotion Board: Goa CM

After opposition MLAs cornered the Goa government over the functioning of Investment Promotion Board (IPB), Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the Assembly on Friday that he is open to suggestions on improving working of the state-run body.

Sawant said a meeting will be held soon where certain decisions related to the IPB will be taken.

"Our interest is to bring in investment and create employment in the state. We are open to suggestions on IPB as we want more investment to come in Goa, he said.

The IPB is a special purpose vehicle created under the chairmanship of the chief minister.

Ravi Naik (Congress) questioned the payment of more than Rs 1 crore to a consultant to the IPB.

He said the consultant was being paid on an hourly basis.

Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat of the Congress questioned the hiring of consultants on the state-run body, saying their is no requirement for them.

Industries Minister Vishwajit Rane told the House that IPB will examine the requirement of consultant KMPG, which has been hired by the board.

"I would like to assure this house and also to the leader of opposition that the CM is aware about the issue and we have decided to examine scope of consultant and whether it is required on board or not," he said.

Rane said the issue of synchronising IPB with the State Directorate of Industries will also be examined.