Goa may go strict on industrial subsidies

The industries minister for state Luizinho Faleiro, assured the Goa state assembly on Tuesday that no industrial subsidy would be disbursed to units not fulfilling the employment criteria laid by the state.

As per the policy it is mandatory for an industrial unit to ensure that 80 per cent of their work force consist of locals.

The move comes in the wake of the opposition cornering the government on the issue of industrial subsidies.

Replying to a volley of questions from the opposition, the minister told the assembly that strict instructions have been issued to the officers in the industries department to sanction no subsidy, if the units do not follow the employment criteria laid down by the state.

On pending applications for subsidy, Faleiro said that the department has asked the concerned industries to furnish the names of the locals employed by them.

"The state government is yet to release Rs 17.5 crore under the capital subsidy scheme in 189 cases for various reasons," Faleiro informed the House.

The scheme was closed on June 30, 2003 after which, the industries department has ceased accepting applications.