Only 40 industrial units employ 80 percent or more Goans, 20 of them are from cashew processing
the goan I networkrPANAJIrAt a time when the state government is pushing for industries to promote local employment, official data has revealed that only 40 industrial units in the state have 80% or more of their overall employees as Goans.rIn reply to a RTI query, the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce (DITC) revealed that there are 40 industries in Goa with 80% or more of their employees as Goans. Of these 40 industries, as many as 20 industries are from cashew processing sector.rIn other words, if not for cashew processing sector, the number of industries employing 80% or more Goans would have been just 20.rCashew processing is a traditional industry in Goa and it is possible to get adequate workforce for this trade from within state. This is the reason that this industry significantly employs locals, but the same isn’t the case with the industrial sector overall.rEarlier, several sections of political class have raised demands that 80% of jobs in the private sector be reserved for Goans. But, on ground it appears that very few industries in Goa are employing more than 80% of the Goans.rThe RTI reply revealed that a number of cashew processing industries in places like Ponda, Kundaim, Sanquelim, Sattari and Bicholim are employing 80% or more Goans.rProminent among them are M/s Zantye Brothers in Bicholim, M/s Dessai Agro Processors in Dharbandora, M/s Shanta Cashew Products in Sanquelim, M/s Sai Cashew Products in Sattari, among several others.rApart from cashew processing, there are some engineering companies (M/s Power Engineering India in Pernem and M/s Joy Engineering Works in Pilerne), packaging related companies (M/s Saidisha Packaging in Kundaim and M/s Alcina Packers in Verna), which have given 80% or more jobs to Goans.rOther prominent industries, which have employed 80% or more Goans, are M/s Asian Magnetic Device in Verna, M/s Goa Paints & Allied Products in Ponda, M/s Krishna Tiles and Pavers in Cuncolim, M/s Devki Beverages in Kundaim and others.rMeanwhile, in order to promote local employment, the state government at various points in time has come out with schemes, wherein it gives rebate to industries on salary paid, if it provides 80% or more of total jobs to rGoans.rIt may be noted that, Goa has highest GDP per capita among all Indian states, that is two and a half times that of the country. It was ranked the best placed state by the “Eleventh Finance Commission” for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.rrr M/s Power Engineering India in Pernem r M/s Joy Engineering Works in Pilerner M/s Saidisha Packaging in Kundaim r M/s Alcina Packers in Vernar M/s Asian Magnetic Device in Vernar M/s Goa Paints & Allied Products in Pondar M/s Krishna Tiles and Pavers in Cuncolimr M/s Devki Beverages in Kundaim and others
