Goa bans set up of liquor,tobacco units in industrial estates

PANAJI: The Goa government has decided to put a moratorium on allowing tobacco and liquor manufacturing units in its industrial zones, a senior official said today.

The State Investment Policy, which is also known as Industrial Policy, will ban the sale of industrial plots in its estates to units manufacturing tobacco products and liquor, F O Hashmi, Director of Industries, told reporters here.

He said that there would be a complete ban on setting up of such industries in the state's industrial zones. There are 20 industrial estates developed by the state government.

The Goa Industrial Development Corporation's regulations which were notified in September last year had banned such units in its estates, he said.

The Investment Policy, which would be unveiled soon will give a proper shape to the ban, Hashmi added.

The policy which is expected to be released within a couple of months has banked on Information Technology and Tourism as the economic driver of the state, which has been reeling under crisis after iron ore mining came to a sudden halt after the Supreme Court order.

Hashmi said points like 50 per cent plots for Goans in industries set up in estates, encouragement of non-polluting industries and employment generating units are focal to the policy.

The state would be on look out for investments in moderate-sized IT and ITES units, pharmaceutical firms and tourism related businesses, he added.