SANGUEM
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday stated that the foundation stone for the IIT project would be laid within the next six months and assured that the Chapel and Cemetery land at Chinchant would be untouched and left out from the demarcated site for the project.
He was speaking at a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the new Paikdev Temple premises at Sanguem, in the presence of Union Minister Shripad Naik, Sanguem MLA and Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldessai, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Narendra Sawaikar, ZP Member Suresh Kepekar and others.
In yet another appeal to the farmers agitating against the IIT project, Sawant said: “Don't agitate for the sake of agitating and hinder development aspect of the taluka.”
“Just because a few people are opposing, we will not consider it as opposition. You have also to see the number of people supporting the project and the development aspect and the job opportunities the project will create for the locals,” said Sawant
“The IIT project will come up at Sanguem and the foundation stone for the same will be laid in the next six months,” he added.
Speaking further, Sawant requested the agitating farmers that if they have any genuine claims, they should appear before the South Goa Collector or Sanguem Deputy Collector and submit their claims towards their plantations and farmlands at the proposed IIT project with documentary proof.
“If the claims are genuine, we will definitely provide due compensation for the same or provide alternate lands. The land presently occupied by the Chapel and Cemetery at Chinchant will be untouched and left out from the demarcated site for the project.”
“The IIT project is an educational institute and will not cause any environment degradation. The project will mean lot of development aspect and job opportunities to the locals. Those opposing the IIT project must step back from their opposition as the IIT project will come to Sanguem and there is no looking back at this issue,” said Sawant.
The chief minister appealed to the people from Sanguem to remain united and assist the government in going ahead with the project.
Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai reiterated that there will be no felling of trees for the project.
“The mountain will be left as it is. From the available land of 7,50,000 sq. mtrs, only about 1,50,000 sq. mtrs will be utilised for the construction purpose of the project,” claimed Phaldessai.
“Besides various job opportunities, the IIT project will mean development aspect of Sanguem taluka in the coming years. The people opposing the project should stop their agitation and assist the government in going ahead with the project work,” appealed Phaldessai.
Sawant assured total support and cooperation to the Paikdev Temple Committee for the construction of the new temple premises and made a personal contribution of Rs 5 lakhs to the construction work.
