High Tide

- Kiran D. Tare

Before he fell ill in February this year, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar had ensured the economy and tourism sectors were in order. Against tremendous pressure by activists, he had tried to keep the iron ore mines operational before the Supreme Court banned mining. He steered the state’s entertainment sector clear by promoting casinos in spite of staunch opposition over gambling being a social evil.

Parrikar’s firm stand paid off. The state registered an annual economic growth rate of 8.8 per cent last year. And it grew with the help of strong performances in three sectors—tourism, mining and pharmaceuticals. With a growth of 15.6 per cent, Goa’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) was Rs 51,692 crore in 2016-17. It increased to Rs 70,257 crore in 2017-18.

While mining added revenues of Rs 1,000 crore, the five offshore and 14 onshore casinos contributed Rs 150 crore to the state exchequer. That gambling brought in the tourists as well as domestic players was evident at Casino Royale, a liner docked in the Mandovi river in Panaji. Both decks of the casino ship were chock a block with gambling enthusiasts.

Foreign investors have invested $970 million in the state since April 2000. Merchandise exports from the state reached $2.1 billion in 201718. The state government has made a provision of Rs 981 crore to turn capital Panaji into a ‘smart city’ with focus on entertainment, hospitality and public transport.