SIAS
Special Incentive Allowance Scheme
5.9/10Launched in 2018, the "Special Incentive Allowance Scheme" is one of the "Information Technology Policy Schemes" by the Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa. New and Existing Units would be provided with the allowance once at the end of every three year period.
States / UT: Goa
Nodal department: Information and Publicity Department
Scheme for: Infra
Scheme profile
DBT (direct benefit transfer): No
Categories: Business & Entrepreneurship
Sub-categories: Setting up / start-up / entrepreneurship
Target beneficiaries: Business Entity
Tags: Incentive, Allowance, Company, Business, Employee
Details
Launched in 2018, the "Special Incentive Allowance Scheme" is one of the "Information Technology Policy Schemes" by the Department of Information Technology, Government of Goa. New and Existing Units would be provided with the allowance once at the end of every three year period. The scheme has been framed as a part of Goa's IT Policy that envisages Goa as an aspirational geographical and human resource base for IT Units and a preferred destination for their investment and expansion.
Benefits
- 1. The Units would be provided with the following special incentive allowance once at the end of every three year period:
- Smaller Business Units: ₹50,00,000
- Other Business Units: ₹1,00,00,000
- Mega Business Units: ₹2,00,00,000 NOTE 1: The benefits under this scheme are subject to budgetary allocation. No Promissory Estoppel shall be applicable if benefits are discontinued in case the allocation is exceeded. NOTE 2: Only expenditure incurred during the operation of the policy will be considered
- The Units would be provided with the following special incentive allowance once at the end of every three year period:
- Smaller Business Units: ₹ 50,00,000
- Other Business Units: ₹ 1,00,00,000
- Mega Business Units: ₹ 2,00,00,000
NOTE 1: The benefits under this scheme are subject to budgetary allocation. No Promissory Estoppel shall be applicable if benefits are discontinued in case the allocation is exceeded.
NOTE 2: Only expenditure incurred during the operation of the policy will be considered.
Eligibility
- The applicant should be a New/Existing Unit.
- The applicant should have their operations in Goa.
- The applicant should be one of the following:
- Proprietorship Firm
- Private Limited Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 (or equivalent)
- Public Limited Company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 (or equivalent)
- Registered Partnership Firm incorporated under the Indian Partnership Act, 1932 (or equivalent)
- Limited Liability Partnership incorporated under the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (or equivalent)
- The bank accounts of the unit and/or its partner(s)/director(s) should be linked to Aadhaar.
- The number of employees would be calculated based number of employees on the rolls (for more than 12 months) during the year.
- In case of expansion, new employees should be on the rolls for at least one year prior to the date of application.
- The minimum criteria to be met by the units to avail this special incentive allowance is as follows:
- Criteria: Annual Growth; Unit: >= 20% pa for a period of 3 years
- Criteria: Employee Head Count (Goans or Goan Graduates); Unit: >= 75% of the total employees
- Criteria: Female Employees; Unit: >= 60%
- Criteria: Employee Certification (Policy section 6.4.1); Unit: 100% of the Goans
- Criteria: Quality Certification by the company (Policy section 6.2.10); Unit: At least one during the Policy period
NOTE: Units will be subject to evaluation at the end of Fiscal Year to verify eligibility for continuing to receive subsidy under this scheme.
Exclusions
The units availing similar financial incentives under any other policy of the Government of Goa are not eligible for availing benefits under this scheme.
How useful is this scheme?
A practical look at this scheme for citizens
AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.
- Accessibility5.0
- Financial impact9.5
- Rural utility4.0
- Awareness4.5
- Simplicity3.0
- Inclusivity8.0
What problem does this scheme solve?
The Special Incentive Allowance Scheme aims to support business entities in Goa by providing financial incentives based on specific eligibility criteria.
Key challenges addressed
- Financial support for business growth
- Encouragement of female employment
- Promotion of local employment
Most beneficial for
- New and existing business units in Goa
- Women entrepreneurs
- Small and medium enterprises
Likely challenges
- Complex eligibility criteria
- Dependence on digital literacy
- Limited awareness among potential beneficiaries
Practical insights for citizens
The scheme may be difficult for semi-literate and rural applicants to navigate.
Rural challenges
- Limited internet access
- Lack of awareness about the scheme
Digital challenges
- High digital dependency for application
- Need for digital literacy
Implementation bottlenecks
- Evaluation process may delay benefits
- Budgetary constraints
Awareness challenges
- Low awareness among rural business owners
- Limited outreach efforts
Application analysis
- Application mode
- Online portal
- Documents burden
- Low
- Verification complexity
- Moderate
- Office dependency
- Low
- DBT dependency
- No
- CSC support
- Limited
- Estimated citizen effort
- Moderate
Estimated beneficiary reach
Benefit analysis
- Benefit type
- Cash
- Benefit frequency
- Once every three years
- Benefit practicality
- Financially significant for eligible units
- Financial meaningfulness
- High for qualifying units
- Long-term impact
- Potentially positive for local employment and business growth
Plain-language guidance
The Special Incentive Allowance Scheme provides financial support to business units in Goa. Eligible businesses can receive cash incentives every three years based on their growth and employment criteria.
- Who should apply
- New and existing business units in Goa, especially those focusing on female employment.
- Who may struggle
- Semi-literate individuals and those unfamiliar with online applications.
- Best application route
- Apply via the official Goa Online portal with Aadhaar linked bank accounts.
This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.
Application Process
Online
Step 1: Visit the Official Web Portal of Goa Online. At the top right corner, click "Register".
Step 2: On the next page, verify your Email ID and Mobile Number using OTP. You will be redirected to the Registration Page.
Step 3: On the Registration Page, fill in all the mandatory fields of the registration form. Create a Login Name and a strong Password. Carefully read the Declaration and the Terms & Conditions, and tick the checkboxes. Fill in the Captcha Code, and click "Register/Signup".
Step 4: Login to the website using your Login Name and Password. Fill in the Captcha Code, and click "Login".
Step 5: In the top ribbon, click on "Services", then click on "IT Services". Click on the name of the scheme. You will be taken to the application form for the scheme. Fill in all the mandatory fields and upload all the mandatory documents.
Step 6: Submit the application. A unique registration number will be generated. Note this number for future reference.
NOTE: The applicant can apply for this scheme on a quarterly/bi-annually/annual basis after incurring the relevant expenditure.
Disbursement Timeline
- Incentive Application Receipt: D
- Application scrutiny as per checklist: D+30days
- Application approval by the Empowered Committee: D+60 days
- Issue of Regret Letter/Sanction Orders and Disbursement: D+90 days
Clarifications
Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).
- How is the number of employees calculated for the eligibility assessment, and what is the time frame considered?
The number of employees is based on those on the rolls for more than 12 months during the year. In case of expansion, new employees should be on the rolls for at least one year before the application date.
- What is the minimum annual growth criterion for units to avail the special incentive allowance, and for what duration?
Units need to demonstrate an annual growth of at least 20% for a period of three years to qualify for the special incentive allowance.
- What percentage of total employees must be Goans or Goan Graduates to meet the eligibility criteria?
To meet the eligibility criteria, units should have at least 75% of the total employees as Goans or Goan Graduates.
- What is the minimum percentage of female employees required for units to qualify for the incentive allowance?
Units need to have a minimum of 60% female employees to meet the eligibility criteria for the incentive allowance.
- How often will units be evaluated to verify their eligibility for continuing to receive the subsidy under this scheme?
Units will be subject to evaluation at the end of each Fiscal Year to verify their eligibility for continuing to receive the subsidy under this scheme.
- What is the special incentive allowance provided to Smaller Business Units at the end of every three-year period?
Smaller Business Units receive ₹50,00,000 as a special incentive allowance at the end of every three-year period.
- What is the special incentive allowance for Other Business Units at the end of every three-year period?
Other Business Units receive ₹1,00,00,000 as a special incentive allowance at the end of every three-year period.
- What is the special incentive allowance for Mega Business Units at the end of every three-year period?
Mega Business Units receive ₹2,00,00,000 as a special incentive allowance at the end of every three-year period.
- Is there any condition related to budgetary allocation for the benefits under this scheme?
Yes, the benefits under this scheme are subject to budgetary allocation, and no Promissory Estoppel is applicable if benefits are discontinued due to exceeding the allocation.
- What type of expenditures will be considered for the incentive allowance, according to the policy?
Only expenditures incurred during the operation of the policy will be considered for the incentive allowance.
- Where Can I Find The Link To The Scheme Guidelines?
You can access the comprehensive Scheme Guidelines, which provide intricate details and instructions, at the following web address: https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ITPolicySchemes2018.pdf
Official links
- https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/sias
- https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ITPolicySchemes2018.pdf
- https://ditc.goa.gov.in/sites/default/files/Target-Schemes.pdf
- https://www.goa.gov.in/contact/
- https://services.goaonline.gov.in/Downloads/Organization/BusinessProfile_UserManual.pdf
- https://goaonline.gov.in/StatusTrack
References
- Guidelines
- https://www.goa.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ITPolicySchemes2018.pdf
- Official Gazette
- https://ditc.goa.gov.in/sites/default/files/Target-Schemes.pdf
- Contact Us
- https://www.goa.gov.in/contact/
- User Manual For Business Entity
- https://services.goaonline.gov.in/Downloads/Organization/BusinessProfile_UserManual.pdf
- Track Application Status
- https://goaonline.gov.in/StatusTrack
Apply
Apply nowOpens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Special Incentive Allowance Scheme is a government welfare initiative designed to support Infra, Business Entity through benefits related to Business & Entrepreneurship, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
- Who can apply for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Eligibility for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
- What benefits are offered under Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Benefits under Special Incentive Allowance Scheme may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
- Which department manages Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Special Incentive Allowance Scheme is managed by Information and Publicity Department and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
- Can users apply online for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
- Is Aadhaar mandatory for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
- Where can users apply for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Applications for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
- What documents may be required for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
- Is Special Incentive Allowance Scheme available in all states?
- No, Special Incentive Allowance Scheme is primarily available for eligible residents of Goa and may be implemented through state government departments and local administrative offices.
- Can residents outside Goa apply for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Eligibility for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme is generally limited to residents of Goa unless otherwise specified in the official scheme guidelines.
- Does Special Incentive Allowance Scheme provide business loan or startup assistance?
- Special Incentive Allowance Scheme may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
- Is collateral required under Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
- Can CSC centres help users apply for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
- How can users check the latest updates for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
- Can beneficiaries track application status for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme?
- Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
- Where can users get help for Special Incentive Allowance Scheme in Goa?
- Users in Goa may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
- Which nearby public services may help with Special Incentive Allowance Scheme applications?
- Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.