Department of Information Technology,  Electronics and Communications Government of Goa
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Schemes
Department of IT along with Government of Goa has notified the “IT Policy” in August, 2018.
There are 18 schemes that have been formulated as per the incentives proposed in the IT Policy, 2018. The broad benefits of the schemes are as follows:
Land / Built up Area Rebate Scheme
Purchase of Land for creating IT Office Space
A one-time rebate @ INR 40,000 per male employee (@ INR 50,000 per female employee) will be provided up to 60% of the cost of the land as determined by the Consideration Amount (value as defined in the Stamp Registration/ Sale Deed)
Purchase of Built Up office space for IT operations
A one-time rebate will be provided up to 20% of the cost of the space as determined by the Consideration Amount (value as defined in the Stamp Registration/ Sale Deed).
Lease Rental Subsidy Scheme
All New & Existing Units can avail a rental/ Lease reimbursement on the built up office space lease / rent,
up to50% of the Annual Lease Rentals (60% in cases where 30% or more of the employees are women) for a period of2 years.
CapitalInvestment Subsidy Scheme
All New Units developing office spaces will be eligible for a capital investment subsidy up to 20% on the capital investments made during the tenure of the Scheme.
An additional 10% subsidy on the capital investments made will be provided in case of establishment of Mega Business Units.
All Existing Units, which qualify as Mega Units are also eligible for capital investment subsidy up to 20% of the capital investment incurred in the last 3 years prior to the date of notification of this policy.
An additional 10% subsidy on the capital investments will be provided for the establishment of office spaces for the industries identified as key focus areas for the Government.
Registration & Stamp Duty Subsidy Scheme
All New and Existing Units shall be eligible for reimbursement of the stamp duty, such that the registration and stamp duty charges will not exceed INR 100/- and the
excess amount paid to the authorities concerned will be reimbursed
Power Subsidy Scheme
All Units operating in Goa will be provided 20% subsidy on power bills (on the power charges, excluding any duty and taxes,
but not on the total bill), subject to a maximum of INR 5 lakh per annum per Unit whichever is lower.
Solar Power Subsidy Scheme
All Units operating in Goa running on 100% solar energy will be eligible for a reimbursement of 10% of
their capital cost of the installation of Solar Power Generation Unit subject to a maximum subsidy of INR 50 lakh.
Internet Subsidy Scheme
All New & Existing units can avail a 25% reimbursement on high speed bandwidth, subject to a maximum of INR 5 lakh per annum
whichever is lower.
Salary Subsidy Scheme
All New and Existing Units can avail a salary subsidy for Fresher’s recruited during the operation period of the Policy.
The subsidy would be provided as a matching grant to salary paid to Fresher’s up to INR 10,000 per Fresher per month (INR 12,500 for female Fresher) for a period of 2
continuous years of operation post the notification of this policy.
Campus Recruitment Assistance Scheme
A recruitment assistance of INR 10,000 per Fresher will be provided to the Existing and New units that recruit through Campus recruitment from the educational institutes located in Goa.
Patent Filing Reimbursement Scheme
All New and Existing Units located within Goa shall be eligible for a total reimbursement of up to INR 25 lakh per unit for the expenses incurred towards filing of patents during the policy period. This incentive shall be provided in the form of reimbursement of up to INR 2.5 lakh for every successful domestic patent, and up to INR 5 lakh for every successful international patent.
Quality Certification Reimbursement Scheme
All New and Existing Units shall be eligible for a reimbursement of the cost of industry standard quality certification. This incentive may be claimed only once for any number of certifications acquired during the policy period. The maximum amount that may be availed under this reimbursement is capped at INR 5 lakh per unit.
Market Support Scheme for Smaller Business Units
A reimbursement of 50% of the exhibition rental cost for will be provided for participating in national/ international exhibitions, limited to 9 square metres of space, subject to approval by the Government.
Performance Linked Grant Scheme for Smaller Business Units
Smaller Business Units that record a growth of 15% y-o-y turnover for a period of any three consecutive years during the operation of the policy, will be provided a performance grant of 5% of the reported net income subject to a total cap of INR 25 lakh.
Interest Subsidy Scheme for Smaller Business Units
For Smaller Business Units, interest subsidy on working capital loan will be provided, subject to a maximum of INR 5 lakh per annum, for a period of 3 years.
Lease Rental Rebate Scheme for Goan Diaspora
A 100% reimbursement of the lease rentals will be provided for a period of first 6 months of operations. Further, a reimbursement of INR 35 per sq. ft. or 80% of the total lease rentals; whichever is lower; will be provided up to a maximum period of 2 years.
Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme for Goan Diaspora
All New Units developing office spaces will be eligible for a capital investment subsidy up to 20% on the capital investments made during the tenure of the Scheme.
An additional 10% subsidy on the capital investments made will be provided in case of establishment of Mega Business Units.
All Existing Units, which qualify as Mega Units are also eligible for capital investment subsidy up to 20% of the capital investment incurred in the last 3 years prior to the date of notification of this policy.
An additional 10% subsidy on the capital investments will be provided for the establishment of office spaces for the industries identified as key focus areas for the Government.
An additional 10% investment subsidy on the capital investments shall be provided in case of units are owned by the Goan Diaspora.
Certification Program for Goan IT Professionals
Goan IT Professionals can avail reimbursement up to 50% of the expenditure incurred for obtaining certifications for improving their employability.
These Certifications should be by vendors or by Authorised Training Partners of the Vendors. Department of IT would come up with the list of courses/ certifications (which would be updated from time to time) which can be considered for reimbursement under this scheme.
Special Incentive Allowance Scheme
New and Existing Units would be provided with the following special incentive allowance once at the end of every three year period
Smaller Business Units: INR 50 lakh
Other Business Units: INR 1 crore
Mega Business Units: INR 2 crore
Department of IT along with Government of Goa has notified the “Start-up Policy” in September, 2017.
There are 14 schemes that have been formulated as per the incentives proposed in the Start-up Policy, 2017. The broad benefits of the schemes are as follows:
Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Reimbursement Scheme
Start-ups registering national and international IP, the Start-up Promotion Cell will reimburse up to 50% of the cost incurred by the start-up in fees and all other costs associated with IP application, if the IP is registered successfully, subject to a cap of INR 2 lakh for national IP and INR 5 lakh for international IP.
This benefit can be availed by maximum 200 startups each year.
Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.
Matching Grant Scheme
Start-ups that raise funds from a registered/recognized funding source prior to the product launch phase will be provided 25% of the matching funds or a maximum benefit of INR 25 lakh, at proportionate ownership of stock, subsequent to due diligence by the Start-up Promotion Cell (SPC).
This benefit can be availed by 20 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its due diligence and guidelines.
Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.
R&D Reimbursement Scheme
In order to promote innovation amongst the Goans and local start-ups, 50% of R&D expenses, including salaries of PhD holders employed by start-ups will be reimbursed for a period of two years, subject to a cap of INR 5 lakh per annum but salary component must not be in excess of INR 2 lakh under this scheme.
This benefit can be availed by maximum 100 startups each year.
Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.
Skill Development Promotion Scheme
Retail educational institutes that impart programming and technical skills will be encouraged to establish learning centres in Goa. Institutes listed by the start-up promotion cell and providing courses at pre-fixed rates, will be provided following benefits:
Internet subsidy (up to INR 5 lakh per year) for two years
Power subsidy (up to INR 1 lakh per year) for two years
25% capital investments reimbursement up to INR 5.0 lakh (on all capital procurement for a period of two years)
10% salary cost subsidy up to INR 3 lakh for a period of two years
Trademark Reimbursement Scheme
For start-ups which have successfully entered the production/service delivery phase, and want to trademark their company name and logo, 50% of the cost of trade-mark registration of their company name and logo will be reimbursed up to INR 25,000/-.
The benefits of this scheme can be availed by up to 200 applicants per year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines
Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SPC shall reserve the sole right to accept/reject applications.
Reimbursement of Expenses for Startups Operating from Leased/Privately Owned Premises Scheme
For start-ups that operate from privately owned premises-
The cost towards internet connectivity, software license fees, and cloud services fee, will be reimbursed subject to an upper limit of INR 1 lakh per quarter for a period of one year. This benefit can be availed by 20 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines.
For start-ups that operate from rented premises
The cost towards internet connectivity, software license fees, and cloud services fee, will be reimbursed subject to an upper limit of INR 1 lakh per quarter for a period of one year. This benefit can be availed by 20 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines.
For local start-ups which operate out of rented premises, a lease rental subsidy of up to INR 20/- per square foot per month will be reimbursed quarterly for a period of up to two years. This incentive is subject to a cap of INR 3 lakh per annum and can be availed by 25 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines.
Grant for Incubation Centers within educational Institutes Scheme
All educational institutes in Goa, affiliated to a recognized public university, can avail a one- time grant of up to INR 10 lakh towards capital expenses, for setting up of an incubator within their institute campuses. The educational institutes with existing incubation facilities can also avail the grant for capital expenses for further expansion of incubation facilities. Maximum number of institutes to avail this benefit cannot exceed 15 per year. The institutes claiming the benefits under this scheme cannot
restrict the incubation facilities only to the students of their institute.
Interest Subsidy Reimbursement Scheme
Up to 3 projects which show immense promise and potential, as recommended by the Startup Promotion Cell, will be eligible for grant of 30% of loan interest amount, for the purpose of repayment of the interest component of a loan availed, up to INR 5 lakh per annum, for an initial period of two years only.
Other Start-ups shall be eligible for an interest repayment grant of 10% of the interest amount of a loan availed, up to INR 2 lakh per year, for a period of two years. This benefit can be availed by 40 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines.
This amount will be in addition to any other interest subsidy or loan provided under Chief Minister RojgarYojana (CMRY).
Seed Capital Scheme
Start-ups with a promising idea can get a one-time grant of up-to INR 10 lakh, as determined by the Start-up Promotion Cell (SPC).
This incentive can be availed by 100 start-ups each year which will be selected by the SPC as per its due diligence and guidelines.
Under no circumstance shall the benefits under this scheme be considered an entitlement. The SPC shall reserve the sole right to accept or reject applications.
Skill Development Fee Reimbursement Scheme
Startup Promotion Cell (SPC) will reimburse 50% of the fees up to INR 50,000/- (Fifty Thousand Only) to the students who have successfully completed an SPC approved technical skill training program in any of the domains mentioned in the Goa Start-up Policy 2017, attended in a Goan educational institute.
Stamp Duty Reimbursement Scheme
In case of land/ developed area purchased/ leased by Start-ups/ incubators/ accelerators, the stamp duty for land area lease/ sale transaction for start-ups / incubators/ accelerators will not exceed INR 100/-, and the excess amount paid to the authorities concerned will be reimbursed.
Salary Reimbursement Scheme
For start-ups hiring local talent, 50% of the salary of fresher will be reimbursed, subject to a cap of INR 10,000 per month per recruit. A start-up can claim salary of maximum 25 people per month for a period of 3 years. This benefit can be availed by 100 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines.
For start-ups whose work force comprises of 60% of locals, up to 25% of salary of the local workforce subject to cap of INR 25 lakh per year will be reimbursed for 3 years. A start-up can claim salary of maximum 25 people. This benefit can be availed by 100 start-ups each year which shall be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines.
Start-ups will be reimbursed a fixed amount for the seats occupied by them at co-working spaces/ incubators/ accelerators listed by the SPC. The benefits at the co-working spaces can be availed maximum for a period of two years per startup, at incubators can be availed maximum for a period of 1 year per startup and at accelerators will be for a period of 3 months per startup.
The startup will be reimbursed 50% per seat cost offered by the co-working spaces listed by the SPC or a maximum benefit of INR 3000 per seat and can claim this benefit for a maximum cap of 8 seats only.
The startup will be reimbursed 50% per seat cost offered by the incubators listed by the SPC or a maximum benefit of INR 5000 per seat and can claim this benefit for a maximum cap of 8 seats only.
The startup will be reimbursed 50% per seat cost offered by accelerators listed by the SPC or a maximum benefit of INR 6000 per seat and can claim this benefit for a maximum cap of 8 seats only.
Technology Fellowship and Patent Promotion Scheme
The Start-up Promotion Cell (SPC) shall run a technology fellowship program to identify technology educators in technical educational institutes in Goa who are keen to further their expertise in the following areas:
Internet of things
Artificial intelligence
Machine Learning
Interaction Design
Big Data Analytics
Robotics
3-D Printing
Data Science
Drones
Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality/Merged Reality
Others (subject to approval from SPC)
The selected educators/fellows would be sent to Centres of Excellence within the country and abroad to undertake summer school and short term training programs to further their learning in their area of specialization.
For the purpose of this fellowship, the SPC shall identify and enlist institutes/universities and their programs/courses.
The Department of IT will endeavor to set-up Centres of Excellence/ Advanced Maker Labs, in the technologies outlined above, in select technical educational institutes. Such selected educators/fellows will be required to function as Master Trainers/Principal Mentors to students and student start-ups that would be incubated in such facilities.
Such selected educators/fellows will submit a work plan to execute the statement of purpose.
The educators/fellows upon selection would receive an educational grant of INR 10 lakh per year, for a period of five years.
The benefit of this scheme can be availed by up to ten educators/ fellows per year with one person in each focus area, who will be selected by the SPC as per its guidelines.
In case such educators/fellows generate and get any business and value driven patents registered, in her/his area of specialization, either through individual research or in collaboration with students, such fellows shall be eligible to receive a patent specific grant of up to INR 15 lakh, subject to certification by the Start-up Promotion Cell (SPC).
The Government of Goa has formulated a scheme “Empower ST/SC Communities using ICT tools” that offers IT Training programmes free of cost to Schedule Tribe (ST)/Schedule Caste (SC) Communities.
The objective of the Scheme is :
o To provide basic computer skills to the local youth, housewives and other citizens.
o To provide various Job oriented IT Training course including training for BPO Operations/ Call Center Executives.
o To provide structural training programmes depending on the needs.
o To make at least one person in each families in the State as an IT Literate.
This scheme is implemented through the IT Knowledge Centres (ITKCs) located at various areas in the State. M/s Info Tech Corporations of Goa Ltd is the implementing agency of these ITKCs.
Currently, the scheme has been extended for additional three years i.e from Year 2019 to 2022. For the last financial year (2021-22) the scheme benefited 1339 ST and 48 SC beneficiaries.
For more details please visit https://infotech.goa.gov.in/itkc.html
The Capacity Building scheme addresses the critical ‘Human Resource Development’ and ‘Training’ components of National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
Under this scheme various workshops/training programmes are organized for the State Government Officials.
Recently workshop on “Orientation programme on Technology in Governance” was held through online mode.
PMGDISHA aims to provide quality technical and digital training- both theoretically and practically- to the large number of youths from the backward or rural areas to make them equally digitally educated
It has a network of helping hands who work together to provide to the underprivileged sections of the society, to spread digital empowerment amongst marginalised communities and Panchayati constituencies, and to educate at least one person from each authorised household.
The target for Goa is to digitally literate 40000 citizens under this scheme.
As of now there are 129 registered centres in Goa.