PANAJI
The state cabinet which met on Wednesday approved a resolution to hand over 4.57 lakh sq mts of land for setting up a National Institute of Technology campus at Cuncolim after reaching an agreement with the Centre over reservation of seats for Goans.
The State government had identified land at Cuncolim which was to be transferred to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, but the process was stalled as there was no agreement on the reservations.
“Of the 50 per cent quota which was to be given to Goan students, the Central government had insisted that it should include Union Territories Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Andaman, etc. While we do not expect too students from them, we had sought that at least 40 per cent quota within the quota be reserved for Goans,” Parrikar said.
“This was not acceptable to them. But when (Union HRD Minister Prakash) Javadekar had come down (to Goa) last time, I had spoken to him. I have even spoken to the Prime Minister to make an exception to give a 40 per cent sub quota to Goans. The 10 per cent is given by others and if they do not fill it the balance should go to Goa. This was finally accepted,” Parrikar said.
“So we decided to hand over the land to the Ministry of Human Resources. The construction work will begin in two to three months,” Parrikar said.
Parrikar also informed that they are looking at alternate locations in view of the opposition to set up an IIT at Loliem in Canacona.
“We wanted to have it at Canacona, but the residents had some apprehensions. They were not entirely correct, but they still had the apprehensions. So the process to begin another spot is on,” Parrikar said hinting that the IIT could be located around Ponda.
