PANAJI: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) believes that education and healthcare for all is a prerequisite for inclusive development of the state and the country. However, it felt that the steps initiated in the current budget needs substantial reinforcement in years to come.

The government’s intention to strengthen the computer laboratories through a budget provision of Rs 15 crore and to create awareness about hygiene through allocation of Rs 200 lakh for upgrading the toilet and sanitary infrastructure in schools, is much appreciated. The United Nations has time and again reiterated that education for all and hygiene awareness are the roads to tackling disease and poverty, it said in a press release.

The press note adds: "We would also like to see the state’s effort in primary and secondary school teacher up-gradation programmes on the lines adopted by other progressive states. We believe that such steps would bring down the drop-out rates at the secondary level."

The CII also welcomed the move to provide small industrial plots to the SME sector which it says will alleviate the problems of a small entrepreneur. Creation of employment will remain a single major determinant of the well-being of Goan youth and in this respect the move to make the industrial plots available, would create opportunities for industrial investment in the state.

The government, however, needs to set deadlines for these initiatives. The proposal to set up a Goa Venture Capital Fund in partnership with one of the leading financial institutions is encouraging and looks forward to the government to announce the modalities of operation of the scheme.

CII opined that food security and climate change would emerge as the key drivers for the quality of life in the state and the steps taken through allocation of 700 hectares of land for contract farming on PPP basis and a grant for converting 400 hectares of fallow land to be brought under agriculture are always welcome,
it concludes.