From daijiworld's special correspondent
 

SEZ policy approved

Panaji: Goa Cabinet last week approved the Goa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Policy 2006, which provides for tax incentives and concesssions to industries setting up units in these zones.
 
"Various incentives and concessions are proposed for the industries set up under SEZs in the State," Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane told reporters here.

"Developers of SEZs and industrial units and other establishments will be exempted from all the State and local taxes and levies including Sales Tax, Purchase Tax etc," the policy, approved during the cabinet meeting on Monday.

Industries will also get an exemption from the payment of stamp duty and registration fee.

"The department of industries, trade and commerce, town and country planning, Goa state pollution control board, labour and factories and boilers have to identify an officer, who will be called as an empowered officer, whose services will be placed at the disposal of the development commissioner for SEZ," according to the policy.

SEZs can be developed in the public, private or joint sectors or by the State Governments, Rane said adding, "They are expected to promote the establishment of large, self-contained areas supported by world class infrastructure, oriented towards export production."

Stormy monsoon assembly session forecast

Panaji: The assembly sesssion that is to commence on Jul

Governor S C Jamir has summoned monsoon session of the state legislative assembly from July 10. The session is expected to have 15 sittings, in which there will be discussions on budgetary demands.

The state government is expected to pass several legislations, notably an amendment to the legislative diploma bill to incorporate three corporations and delete them from the definition of the office of the profit.

With the summoning of the session, members will give notice to submit their questions on various subject.  Chief inister Rane, who also holds the finance portfolio, had presented the annual budget last March.

Goan lifestyle making state vulnerable

Panaji: Talking about HIV AIDS, Goa governor S C Jamir last week said that Goa's lifestyle makes this tourist state more vulnerable to spread of such diseases.

Govenor, who is also Goa university's chancellor, this morning, inaugurated Red Ribbon club at Raj Bhavan. Red Ribbon club, an initiative to spread awareness about AIDS in 20,000 students in 46 different educational institutions in the state, was officially launched by Governor, in a special function which was attended by principles of all colleges.

"Goa is vulnerable because of its lifestyle. The state has dance and party almost every night. People jumping and enjoying music and at times, purpose of their life is lost," the Governor said.

Stating that HIV AIDS is destroying world's future, Jamir emphasized the need to educate masses.
 

Governor, in his brief speech, advised that Goa needed to be more cautious being a tourist state. "Tourist from all over world and other parts of country come here which increases the possibility of bringing in such diseases," he said.

Stressing for government initiative in preventing AIDS, Governor cited of example of north east, where he was chief minister for decades. " In north east, we had formulated local area development scheme in which Rs 50 lakh were given to each constituency. Of the total amount, one lakh each was supposed to be spent on awareness about AIDS. Goa is a small state and it can take up such programmes," he said.

"Political leaders should also take the responsibility and they should not only ask for votes," Govenor frankly opined.

Statistics available from state AIDS control society reveals that the disease was first identified in Goa, 19 years back. Till 2006, 8,773 HIV cases have been detected.