Goa State Employment Subsidy Scheme for the Industries, 2008

Proprietor, partner, promoters, directors, or their relatives were not considered employees for subsidy claims. This included spouse, father, mother, son/daughter, grandparent, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, and first cousin of the business owners or directors.

Yes, the scheme gave preference to women-owned proprietary concerns with 100% ownership by women, and partnership firms where 51% ownership was held by women, provided there was at least one additional partner other than husband, father, brother, or son.

Under the scheme, units had to fall under Green, Orange, or specified Orange categories of environmental classification to be eligible. Units in other environmental categories were not eligible for the subsidy.

For new units in developed talukas, a 25% subsidy was provided. New units in less developed talukas received an additional 10% subsidy, bringing their total to 35%. The total subsidy could not exceed 40% including all additional benefits.

Existing micro and small units in less developed talukas were eligible for a 15% subsidy (10% base subsidy plus an additional 5% for being in a less developed taluka). This was subject to the overall ceiling of 40% including all additional benefits.

For sick units under a revival plan, the subsidy was defined by the appropriate authority, subject to a maximum of 25%. You would have needed to provide the revival plan approval documentation when applying.

The scheme offered a 5% additional benefit under the Local Employment Subsidy Scheme, preference in Capital Contribution and under Special Capital Contribution Schemes, and increased interest subsidy limits.

The scheme increased interest subsidy limits from 1% to 2% of turnover, with 35% of interest paid (up from 30%), subject to an overall ceiling of [?]8,00,000/-. This was one of several additional benefits available to qualifying units.

You needed to provide a declaration executed before a Magistrate regarding employee eligibility, and from January 1st, 2009, Green Social Security Cards for employees were required as proof of their status as local manpower.

Eligible units had to register with the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce using the prescribed form, submit half-yearly claims within 3 months of each period, undergo scrutiny by the Task Force Committee, and then receive approval for disbursement of benefits.

The Task Force Committee comprised the General Manager of the Directorate of Industries, Trade and Commerce (as Chairman), Assistant Director (Adm.), Under Secretary (Finance/Expenditure), and representatives from the Goa Chamber of Commerce and industry associations. The committee verified claims and finalized the list of beneficiaries.

The Directorate had one month to prepare the list of eligible units, the Task Force Committee had two months to verify claims, and disbursement was made within 15 days of claim finalization, making the total process approximately 3.5 months.

As a medium-sized unit, you needed approval from the High Powered Coordination Committee issued after 1st April 2008 to be eligible for the scheme, in addition to meeting all other criteria like the 80% local employment requirement.