PANAJI
With severe opposition from Canacona locals, the proposed IIT could now see a new home “ Ponda.
Speaking to media persons on the sideliens of a function, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said, “People of Canacona do not want it there. We are already looking at relocating the project. Yesterday when I was in Ponda, people have offered to provide the required land for the project. If it is so we will buy the land.”
Referring to the opposition to the proposed IIT in Canacona, he said, “Basically if somebody wants to fight and argue over the issue, why do we need to set it there? I want Goa to progress and people to benefit from it. If there is alternative to it, we can always look at it.”
When asked if the state government has taken a final decision to shift it elsewhere from Canacona, he said, “There is no need to take any decision as we had not taken any final decision to set it up in Canacona. It was merely a proposal which was put up before the committee.”
Speaking further, Parrikar said, “There is a procedure for finalising land for IIT. First we identify the land, then a proposal is given to MHRD. This is followed by the inspection of their committee. Only if they say that it is suitable for setting up an IIT, we can accept it and send the proposal to the Centre informing about the acquisition or purchase of the land. Only after which the process is completed.”
