Minister promises jobs for 1,700 local youth
PERNEM
IT Minister Rohan Khaunte has expressed confidence that four to five large companies will start operations at the Tuem Electronic City (TEC) complex within the next six months.
He was speaking to reporters after inspecting the Tuem Electronic City in the presence of Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, Sarpanch Sulaksha Naik and others.
The TEC was the brainchild of then chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, but not a single company has begun operations so far.
Khaunte said the TEC project has been setup at a cost of Rs 167 crore and is funded by the State and central governments.
“A company dealing in drones will set up operations here,” the minister said.
The minister said locals would get job opportunities in the companies beginning operations at the TEC, and around 1,700 youth would be employed.
“New companies in need of staff will train locals before starting their operations. Hence, training centres would be started in the TEC,” said Khaunte.
He also added that 80% of construction work of the administrative building is completed and it will house administrative offices, a police station and emergency services.
Then chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar had acquired more than 6 lakh sq. mtrs of land from the land owners and handed it over to the government. But these land owners have not received any compensation as yet.
When asked if he would disburse the compensation to the land owners, Khaunte said the earlier government had acquired the land and handed it over to the IT department.
“The previous government would be aware of the contract signed between the land owners and the government. The land now belongs to the government and if any contract was signed, the land owners will get compensation, provided they discuss the issue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant,” said Khaunte.
Khaute said he has spoken to various companies in Delhi as he is associated with commerce and industry sector.
“I am trying to invite these companies to the TEC which would turn into another electronic city like Verna. Currently, there is no road linking the TEC to the NH66 highway. A road is required to bring in big machinery and the process to acquire land has been completed.”
“After the road is completed, big industries would come here,” said the minister, while assuring that locals would be given jobs on priority basis.
Tuem Sarpanch Sulaksha Naik said if the panchayat is informed about the companies that are expected to be set up, they can conduct awareness campaigns and try to give jobs to unemployed youth in these companies. She appealed to the minister to ensure that youth from Tuem get jobs in these companies.
