Lease Rental Subsidy Scheme

The Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa introduced the Lease Rental Subsidy Scheme in 2018. It forms part of the state's Information Technology Policy. Through this scheme, Goa aims to position itself as a viable location for IT companies, both in terms of geography and available talent, and to draw investment and encourage expansion within the state.

A central purpose of the scheme is to reduce what eligible IT units spend on office space, achieved by extending lease rental subsidies of significant value. The scheme covers both newly formed and already operating IT businesses that have set up, or intend to set up, their operations in Goa. In doing so, it seeks to drive economic growth and generate employment in the technology sector at the local level.

By providing these financial incentives for leased office space, the government intends to build conditions favourable to IT innovation and business development. This ties back to its stated vision of making Goa a preferred destination for IT investment.

1. **Step 1: Register on the Goa Online Portal**: Go to the official Goa Online web portal and select "Register". Authenticate your email address and mobile number through OTP verification.

2. **Step 2: Complete Registration**: Enter details in every mandatory field on the registration page, set up a login name and password, go through the Declaration and Terms & Conditions and accept them, then select "Register/Signup".

3. **Step 3: Login to Portal**: Sign in to the website with the login name and password you created, entering the Captcha Code as well.

4. **Step 4: Access Scheme Application**: From the top ribbon, select "Services" and then go to "IT Services". Find the relevant Lease Rental Subsidy Scheme and select it.

5. **Step 5: Fill and Submit Application**: Provide details in every mandatory field of the online application form and upload each document that is required. On submission, a unique registration number is generated for future reference.

**Note on Timing**: Applications under this scheme may be submitted quarterly, bi-annually, or annually, once the relevant expenditure has been incurred.

Applications are first checked against a fixed checklist, generally within 30 days of being received. Once that scrutiny is complete, the application goes before an Empowered Committee for approval, a step that normally concludes within 60 days of the receipt date. Sanction orders follow approval, and the subsidy is disbursed roughly 90 days after the application was received. Applicant units must also undergo assessment at the close of every fiscal year or installment period, so that their ongoing eligibility under the scheme can be confirmed.