CANACONA
After abandoning plans to set up the IIT in Loliem in view of public protests, the State government’s plan to set up a Film City on the same Bhagwati plateau in the village will now hinge on a crucial meeting of the general body of the Loliem Comunidade on Sunday.
The meeting assumes significance as residents had earlier resolved not to permit any development on the Bhagwati plateau, which is rich in biodiversity.
While Loliem Comunidade President Vishwajeet Warik admitted that the committee is in favour of the Film City, he insisted that the committee would abide with the wishes of the general body if they wanted the project or not.
“Only if the Comunidade Components (General Body) decide positively, the consent of the Loliem-Polem panchayat body and villagers (Gram Sabha) will be sought. Then, the proposal for the proposed Film City in Loliem will be sent to the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG),” Warik told The Goan ahead of Sunday’s meeting of the Loliem Comunidade general body.
SUPPORT TO PROJECT
Explaining the circumstances that had led them to consider the Bhagwati plateau in Loliem for the Film City project, Warik said: “A few days ago, we saw an advertisement from ESG that they are looking out for about 250 acres of land to set up a Film City in Goa.”
“With this in mind, the Loliem Comunidade committee members met and discussed the issue threadbare. We decided to first obtain views from our components before moving ahead in the matter.”
The Loliem Comunidade committee consists of Vishwajeet Warik (President), Ramakant Prabhugaonkar (Attorney), Vishant Prabhudessai (Treasurer), Bhushan Prabhugaonkar (Vice-President-I) and Madhav Shastri (Vice-President-II).
“We met and felt that this is one of the best opportunities for the people of Canacona taluka. At present, our taluka is still being considered as ‘backward’ and not much development is taking place,” justified Warik.
“Loliem Comuidade has ample land and land can put to use for the welfare of village and the taluka to set up non-polluting projects. Even our elders used to tell us that if land is needed for some non-polluting projects, it should be made available.”
“We are of the strong belief that if a Film City is set up, unemployed youth in Canacona will get jobs, direct as well as indirect employment. Besides, if we need Dabolim Airport to be kept alive, developments and projects in South Goa are a must. If a mega project like the ‘Film City’ comes to South Goa, Dabolim Airport will surely remain operational.”
“That’s how we (committee) decided in the meeting to convene a general body meeting of the Comunidade components. Only after taking their views will we move ahead.”
POSSIBLE OPPOSITION
Warik was then reminded that the Loliem villagers had passed a resolution in the Gram Sabha a few years ago not to permit any development on Bhagwati Plateau, which is rich in biodiversity, and to preserve it for future generations.
Earlier in July, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldessai had visited the Bhagwati plateau in Loliem and had claimed that the “barren land” could be utilised by the government for the IIT project, Film City or some hinterland tourism project. This had evoked sharp reactions from many locals in the village.
When asked if the Loliem Comunidade would anticipating any opposition to the move to bring a film city on Bhagwati Plateau in light of this Gram Sabha resolution, Warik shot back: “I am not aware of any such a Gram Sabha resolution. However, if is required by the people (including Panchayat and Gram Sabha members), only then will we move ahead. If the people do not want the Film City, we will stop at that.”
“If the Comunidade in its general body meeting decides to go ahead with the Film City, we will then meet the Panchayat and Gram Sabha. We will follow procedures and only with their support, will we go ahead with the project, which will not only help Loliem village but the whole of Canacona taluka,” Warik added.
