The Goa government will form an IT Task Force to create an IT road map for Goa within six months.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat made this announcement here at an interactive programme with the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Tuesday.
Earlier, GCCI office-bearers raised several issues of concern to the industry.
Manguirish Pai Raikar, vice-president of GCCI, said that time was of the essence for any industry and normally, approvals for the industry should be granted within a period of 20-30 days as was being done in other States. Instead of a high-power project clearance committee, the State should adopt a single-window clearing system, he suggested.
Regarding industrial plots which seemed to be scarce, he proposed having a third party to tabulate data on underutilised and un-utilised plots.
Mr. Raikar expressed concern over exhibitions taking a toll on the local trade. They also meant maximum leakage of Value Added Tax revenue (VAT), he said.
Tourism board mooted
Ralph D'Souza, secretary, GCCI, speaking on behalf of the tourism industry said that the State should set up a tourism promotion board.
Claiming that the tourism industry alone contributed Rs. 850 crore to the State revenue and provided employment to five lakh people, Mr. D'Souza asked for scrapping the 5 per cent cess imposed by the government on room rents.
He urged the government to bring in VAT on food and beverages in line with that imposed by other tourist States.
