PANAJI:  Acknowledging that investors arriving in the state have faced lot of problems in fields like special economic zones, the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Friday said the new industries coming to the state should be cautious before opening their units here, because Goa gives special preference to pollution-free, environment-friendly units, which generates employment for locals.

“The other states give a red-carpet welcome to the investors, but Goa makes them fully aware of its needs and requirements as well as the existing industrial scenario here, before according welcome to them,” he added.
Speaking during the distribution of Industrial Safety, Health and Environment Awards instituted by the Green Triangle Society, in association with the inspectorate of factories and boilers, at the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries hall, the Chief Minister further said that if the state has to progress, the industrial sector in the state should necessarily progress, and this could be possible only if the Goan industry and government work hand-in-hand.
The Chief Minister further observed that the period, which witnessed the industries being penalised by the inspectorate of factories and boilers is long over, and now, the authorities have to interact with the stakeholders in the industrial sector for finding solutions to their problems.
“Today, the industrial scenario is fast changing at a faster pace, and in Goa, we welcome good industries,” he mentioned, noting that many investors want to come to Goa to set up their industries.
Stating that the industry and safety go hand-in-hand, and it is the responsibility of the industry to take care of the safety of its employees, the Chief Minister said that his government could also start awards consisting of cash incentives, for the state industrial units excelling in industrial safety, health and environment.
Earlier, the Chief Minister presented awards in three categories namely ‘A’ - for industries having employee strength up to 100, ‘B’ - for those having employees between 101 and 250 and finally, ‘C’ - those industries with employees from 251 upwards. In the ‘C’ category, M/s Zuari Industries Ltd received the top prize, while M/s Syngenta India Ltd bagged the second prize. M/s Nestle India Ltd (Bicholim), M/s Sesa Industries Ltd (Amona), M/s Nestle India Ltd (Usgao) and M/s Sesa Goa Ltd (Sanquelim) were other winners in this category.
In category ‘B’, M/s Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, Goa Power station and M/s Essel Propack Ltd won the top two prizes, respectively, while in the ‘A’ category, M/s Zuari Indian Oil Tanking Ltd and M/s Filpak (India) Pvt Ltd were the top two winners, respectively.
The chief inspector of factories and boilers, Mr S M Paranjape, the GTS chairman, Mr Manguirish Pai Raikar and the treasurer of the Society, Mr Manoj Patil were also present on the occasion.