Panaji: Of the 28 reforms recommended for Goa under the Centre’s ease of doing business framework, the state government has implemented 12 recommendations, while 16 reforms remain under discussion and in various phases of implementation within departments.The progress is part of phase II of the national reform exercise, according to a status report dated May 8. While phase I of the reforms was mandatory in nature, phase II is like guidelines, said an official with the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board.Among the reforms that the state has achieved is the adoption of the amended Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 2024, cleared by the Goa State Pollution Control Board.Among the Centre’s recommendations are sensitive aspects such as the elimination of the change in land use requirements. Two broader reform proposals — a right to business act providing affidavit-based clearances, and an omnibus bill for ease of doing business — remain under debate within government.“Another reform that is under debate is whether to allow establishments, whether hotels, restaurants, shops and MSMEs, to start operations based on a self-declaration and without govt approvals. The approvals, such as consent to operate, electricity connections and other permissions, can follow later,” said an official.However, concerns about accountability and safety have prompted the government to take a second look at the move to liberalize the process for starting commercial operations.Eleven reforms have secured agreed action plans and are being rolled out. The reforms span 18 state departments and agencies. The town and country planning department carries the heaviest load, mapped across multiple priority areas covering land use, industrial clusters and construction permits.
