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Goa to press Centre for special category status

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat will soon lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi to plead the State’s case for special status.

Replying to questions from presspersons in south Goa on Sunday morning, the Chief Minister said Goa must have pressed for its case when special industrial status was accorded to Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

Goa’s industrialisation and consequent development had suffered on account of the flight of capital from Goa to these States in recent years due to the special incentives for investors. Goa’s industrialisation received a setback in the post-VAT (value-added tax) regime as all tax-based industrial incentives had been withdrawn.

Goa’s proposal for special funds by according it special tourism state status was pending with the Centre. But that cannot be a permanent solution, he said.

On banning sale of land to outsiders in Goa, Mr. Kamat said the State government was presently studying similar legislation in Himachal Pradesh. “But we are yet to take a decision.”

Special category status for the State has become an issue, following the Opposition BJP raising the demand and tabling a private resolution in the on-going monsoon session of the Assembly.

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Goa to press Centre for special category status

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