Single Window

Recently we were enlightened by the fact that Non Resident Goans (NRG) have 10k crores in fixed deposits in Goa. We were also told they are unable to invest the same in business ventures in Goa because we lack a single window system. Before we go to analyse the system here in Goa, the question to ask is, assuming there was a single window system operating, would these NRG's have been able to start ventures here. The answer would be an emphatic NO.

Starting a venture anywhere is not just a function of bureaucratic hurdles which a single window may or may not address. To starting a venture one needs an “idea”. What is it that you have in mind which will meet the needs of society or a section of society. This is not a function of the money you have but comes irrespective of it. The next aspect that will play a vital role is the drive or passion to make it happen. To put it in perspective, take the example of Dhirubhai Ambani, no money to start with, had an idea and them made it happen. Were there were no bureaucratic hurdles in his way, did he have a single window. I am not an Ambani fan, but he managed to achieve his goal.

There is a goan from Australia who has a manufacturing unit here, he makes what appears to be a simple product but is needed every day at all airports. He spends some time in Goa and the rest at home or traveling for business. To my mind not many products or services can be run in this way, seemingly by remote control atleast not smaller establishments. This means that if an NRG wants to make his business venture successful he would necessarily have to park himself here in Goa. Do they want to do that, are they comfortable doing it.? The NRG may be doing work abroad which may not necessarily give him the experience to run a business and more so in India. UAE has an excellent record of allowing investors to set up almost immediately, hassle free, why did they not start there? Well it is easier to send the money down to Goa and make an FD.

Everyone would like a more hassle free system, a lot has changed and while change is slow it is happening. The passport office has a good example of a single window in operation. Earlier when one applied for a passport, a separate application had to be made for police clearance. Now that is part of the application. Automatically once your passport application is accepted, the police are informed to verify the same. Hassle free.

We have a new major experiment in trying to move to a single window. The Investment Promotion Board (IPB). Bigger projects have the luxury of making a single application to the IPB and they in turn allot the land and approve the project. In its earlier avatar High Powered Coordination Committee (HPCC), land was not part of the deal. So one major hassle of getting land is taken care off. But we saw what happened to the Marina project. The IPB heard a 10 min presentation, (not sure if it was longer or it was explained to the members before) and the project was passed. QED. In this case the promoters had the land or should we say river. We all know what happened, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), vetoed it the next day. The MLA and people got into the act and opposition increased. Now, one more statutory body has declared it will be a heritage site.

Can such things be avoided? Surely if a project is going to be cleared by one body, ie the IPB, it would have to collect data required by other agencies eg. GSPCB would require information on how much water would be used, no of gensets, how the garbage and sewage from parked boats would be disposed and the quantity, area and quantity of diesel storage, if very large they may ask for permission from say fire department. For permission from electricity department they would need details like quantity of power required, point at which supply intended to be taken, preference for LT or 11Kv or 33 Kv. For the PWD to supply water they would need to know the quantity of water required per day, etc. Were these details available in the presentation, it they were great. However they should be sent to the concerned departments before hand for study and comments. If this was done GSPCB would have indicated that they would need a study of the carrying capacity of the rivers before taking a decision. Based on the early feedback, details could have been gathered and decision taken. In the case of the Marina project, it could have been deffered to awaiting carrying capacity report. Ofcourse, the IPB seems to have got carried away with their over riding status. You can override each and every law, but the project will then face difficulties as opponents will challenge the same in courts.

So single windows are useful and expected by every investor, be they NRG or local. There is work to be done and thought to be added to ensure Goa has a truly functional single window system.