At an interface between industrialists and politicians organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry on Wednesday, all the major political parties in the State pledged to reduce government spending, agree on an industrial policy, provide political stability and help improve infrastructure.

BJP spokesman and former member of the Legislative Assembly Manohar Parrikar, who exposed the power rebate scandal last year, felt government-owned utility companies need not be privatised. "They can be run professionally and without interference from politicians," Parrikar said.

The politicians also took the blame for the state of affairs."Every time a minister comes to power he accommodates persons from his constituency in his ministry," Radharao Gracias, general secretary, UGDP said. He admitted that the founder of his own party, Churchill Alemao now with the Congress, was guilty of this. The politicians also felt the greatest problem faced by Goans was unemployment. Gracias called for industries tailored to absorb the youth churned out by Goa's educational institutions.