Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday assured the tourism industry that their concerns regarding GST will be taken up with the GST Council for possible relief. Speaking to media persons after meeting tourism stakeholders, Sawant, who is also the convenor of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST revenue analysis, said, “Tourism stakeholders have presented their case regarding GST. I will take it forward with the GST Council. That issue will also be sorted out.” The tourism industry has been seeking GST relief to boost sector growth and competitiveness.
CM held a meeting with Tourism Stakeholders today and heard their grievances. Several of their problems will be addressed in upcoming Assembly by tweaking and amending related policies he assured.
Goa government has decided to grant three-year validity for permissions from the Pollution Control Board, water supply, and electricity departments for tourism businesses. The government is also considering extending the duration of excise licenses, Sawant said. Other major issues raised by the stakeholders included difficulties in trade licence renewals at the Panchayat and Municipal levels and the menace of hawkers and touts. Stakeholders also demanded a single-window clearance system and overall ease of doing business in the sector. Sawant said the government will also follow up with the Centre on improving visa-on-arrival facilities and international air connectivity to Goa, both crucial to boosting tourism.
