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VASCO
Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha has said the NOC/permission by Captain of Ports (CoP) to the Mini India Park Project stood invalid as the proponent had no other permission from other authorities.
Saldanha also took a dig at Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho, stating that he appeared to support the project and suggested that he could ask the proponent to shift the project to his constituency.
“The original plan/proposal for the Mini India Park consists of a five-starred category resort, house boats, floating cottages, water sports activity and floating platforms for the Mini India Park.”
Saldanha sought to know if there had been a change of plan as claimed by the proponents, whether the original plan had been withdrawn and if the revised plan been placed before authorities for approval.
“Has the project obtained the necessary NOCs/permissions for the project from Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB), Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Panchayat?”
“The proponent claims that he has an NOC/permission from the CoP. Is this NOC valid over the wetland/Khazan land which is not a part of the river? Further, the NOC from Captain of Ports states that Movaj Enterprises Private Limited should obtain all requisite NOCs from all competent authorities concerned, before commissioning of the floating platforms which is definitely not done.”
The Cortalim MLA stated that the IPB permission for the Mini India Park Project had been withdrawn in January 2018 and GCZMA permission had not been obtained till date.
“Besides, the GCZMA in its report dated 17/2/2017 stated very definitely that the area concerned is a wetland and therefore a ‘No Development Zone’. Hence, the NOC/Permission granted by CoP stands invalid given the fact the proponent has no other permission from authorities concerned,” said Saldanha.
Turning her attention to Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Saldanha said the minister had claimed the project would create job opportunities for locals.
“What jobs and where? If the project is only floating platforms, where will people visiting the site be accommodated?” “Visitors will need to sit and be served, for which the restaurants will have to be constructed, which belies the statement that the project does not involve construction activity.”
“I would like to tell Godinho that abiding by laws of the land is not activism. If the minister finds the project so attractive he can definitely ask the proponent to shift it to his constituency and avail of all benefits he claims it will accrue,” said Saldanha.
Starred hotel never on proposal, no question of withdrawing it: promoter
VASCO: Mini India Park Project promoter Ram Agrawal on Tuesday accused Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha of misguiding innocent people over the Mini India Park Project, which could boost tourism activities in the State.
Agrawal told The Goan that he did have an initial plan to set up a five-starred hotel in the area, but the proposal was never put forth for sanction.
“When plans for a starred hotel were never put up for sanction, there is no question of withdrawing it or submitting a revised plan,” said Agrawal.
“I wonder why Saldanha continues to misguide villagers and what is her motive behind this move? Sometimes, it appears that people are losing the benefit of this project because of her unnecessary ego clash.”
“It is true that I had initially put up a five-starred hotel proposal with other proposals to the IPB for in-principle approval, but they are not sanctioning authority.”
“I have not put my five-starred hotel proposal to the Town and Country Planning authority for sanction and so, the question of withdrawal the five-starred hotel proposal does not arise.”
Commenting on construction of restaurants and wash rooms for tourists, Agrawal said he had a settlement land of around 10,000 sq mtrs near the mini India park project site, where all his other activities regarding any construction would come on that plot.
He also stated that when he has sought GCZMA permission, he received a reply stating that since the activity was outside the CRZ line, permission was outside the purview of the GCZMA.
“I only request Saldanha to allow this one-of-its-kind beautiful project in her constituency, as people will appreciate that she has got at least one good proposal in her constituency after seven years of being an MLA,” said Agrawal.
