Launched in 2018 as part of Goa’s Information Technology Policy Schemes by the Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa, the Lease Rental Rebate Scheme for Goan Diaspora is designed to attract IT units to the state. The scheme offers a 100% reimbursement of lease rentals for the first 6 months of operations, and thereafter, a reimbursement of either ₹35 per sq. ft. or 80% of the total lease rentals—whichever is lower—for up to 2 years. In addition, incentives are provided on a prorated basis depending on the percentage of employees who are of Goan origin or are Goan graduates.
Benefits
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Initial Reimbursement:
A 100% reimbursement of lease rentals is provided for the first 6 months of operations. -
Ongoing Reimbursement:
After the initial period, the scheme offers reimbursement at a rate of ₹35 per sq. ft. or 80% of the total lease rentals (whichever is lower) for up to 2 years. -
Workforce-Based Incentives:
Incentives are disbursed on a prorated basis based on the workforce composition:-
If up to 30% of employees are of Goan origin/Goan graduates, 50% incentive is provided.
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For 30% to 60% of employees, a 75% incentive is disbursed.
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If more than 60% of employees are of Goan origin/Goan graduates, a 100% incentive is provided.
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Note: The benefits are subject to budgetary allocation and only the expenditure incurred during the operation of the policy is considered. Entities availing similar incentives under another Government of Goa policy are not eligible.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
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The applicant can be a new or existing unit with operations in Goa.
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The unit must be organized as a Proprietorship, Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, Registered Partnership Firm, or Limited Liability Partnership.
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The bank accounts of the unit or its key stakeholders must be linked to Aadhaar.
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The unit must have been operational for at least one year prior to the application. (For a specific office space, the unit must have operated there for more than one year to be eligible.)
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The company/firm must be registered in Goa.
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The CEO, Head, or Majority Stakeholder should belong to the Goan Diaspora.
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The unit must employ at least 15 employees, with a minimum of 60% being of Goan origin.
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Employees must have been on the company’s payroll for at least one year.
Note: Units will be evaluated at the end of each fiscal year to confirm ongoing eligibility.
Exclusions
Applicants already receiving similar financial incentives under any other policy of the Government of Goa are not eligible for benefits under this scheme.
Application Process
The application process is entirely online:
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Visit the Official Web Portal of Goa Online and click “Register” at the top right corner.
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Verify your Email ID and Mobile Number using the OTP, then fill in the mandatory fields on the Registration Page.
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After registering, log in using your credentials.
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Navigate to “Services” in the top ribbon, select “IT Services,” and click on the scheme name.
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Complete the application form by providing all mandatory details and uploading the required documents.
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Submit the application and note the unique registration number for future reference.
Note: Applicants may reapply on a quarterly, bi-annual, or annual basis once the relevant expenditure has been incurred.
Disbursement Timeline
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Incentive Application Receipt: Day 0 (D)
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Application Scrutiny (Checklist): D + 30 days
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Approval by the Empowered Committee: D + 60 days
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Issuance of Regret Letter/Sanction Orders and Disbursement: D + 90 days
Documents Required
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Copy of Incorporation Certificate.
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Copy of new unit registration document/certificate.
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Copies of PAN, Aadhaar, and GST TIN.
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Memorandum and Articles of Association.
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Copy of the first bill generated showing the commencement date of operations or another relevant document.
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Occupancy certificate from the developer/local authority for the office space.
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Details of employees and the percentage of employees of Goan origin.
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Copy of the lease deed or lease rental agreement for the office space.
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Proof of payment of rent for the office space.
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Udyog Aadhaar certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the prerequisite for an IT unit to avail the lease rental rebate for a specific office space under the scheme?
The unit must have operated from the specified office space for more than one year. -
How is the reimbursement determined during the initial six months of operations?
During the first 6 months, the lease rentals are reimbursed at 100%. -
What percentage of employees of Goan origin or Goan graduates triggers a 100% incentive disbursal under the scheme?
A 100% incentive is provided when more than 60% of the employees are of Goan origin or are Goan graduates. -
Under what conditions may the benefits under this scheme be discontinued?
Benefits are subject to budgetary allocations, and only expenditures incurred during the policy period are eligible. If the budget is exceeded, benefits may be discontinued. -
What is the minimum period of employment required for employees to be considered for the scheme?
Employees must have been on the company’s payroll for at least one year. -
Can applicants from neighboring states apply to this scheme?
No, the applicant unit must have its operations in Goa. -
Is there any compensation for delays in the disbursement of the scheme benefits?
Specific compensation details for disbursal delays are not provided in the guidelines. -
What is the link to the Official Web Portal of Goa Online?
Applicants must use the Official Web Portal of Goa Online for registration and application. -
What is the tentative timeline for approval by the Empowered Committee?
The approval is expected approximately 60 days from the application receipt. -
What is the timeline for the issuance of sanction orders and disbursement?
The process is expected to be completed approximately 90 days from the application receipt. -
Is it mandatory for the applicant units to have their operations in Goa?
Yes, the unit must be operating in Goa. -
When was the scheme launched and by which department?
The scheme was launched in 2018 by the Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa.