Govt yet to assess financial loss

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-10-22
PANAJI- The state government is still to assess the financial loss incurred by the state due to the bandh. But the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said the figure of loss to the industry is more than Rs 100 crore.
Speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’, the Chief Secretary, Mr J P Singh on Tuesday said that any bandh is neither in the interest of the people nor the economy of the state. He said that he is yet to receive details of the industrial loss in Goa due to the October 20 bandh, a total shutdown in a state adversely affects the common man.
The GCCI president, Mr Nitin Kuncolienkar informed that although the October 20 bandh did not severely affect the Goan industrial sector as some of the industrial units were functioning, the loss to this sector could be placed above Rs 100 crore.
“This loss is directly linked to the per day production lost,” he added.
Observing that the state industrial sector is currently experiencing a recessionary trend, Mr Kuncolienkar said that such bandhs, instead of improving productivity, add to the problems of the industry. “In fact, any kind of bandh, supported by any political or apolitical party is uncalled for,” he stated and observed that the agitators should maintain pressure on the government through a dialogue in support of their demands or grievances.
In case of October 20 bandh, since the day was Monday, the common man was severely affected due to three consecutive workless days, the GCCI chief said adding that not only the trade and commerce of the state gets disturbed due to the bandhs, but also government offices are affected; the situation becoming more serious as the government offices function only five days a week and have highest holidays during the year as compared to any country in the world.
The October 13 bandh definitely put the Goan industrial sector under strain, and more of such bandhs could harm the reputation of Goa as an industry-friendly state, he pointed out.
Mr Kuncolienkar also lamented that a huge gap exists in Goa between the expectations of the people and the government response.
Mr Atul Naik, the president of the Goa State Industries Association, an apex association for micro, small and medium enterprises in the state, said the bandh affected productivity of most of the industrial units as the attendance of employees was low due to the unavailability of the public transport.
“However, we have not received any reports of forcible closure of industrial units,” he added.
Opining that the bandhs cause serious losses to the economy of the region, Mr Naik pointed out that even the Supreme Court has given a ruling against such shutdowns.