PANAJI
While the report prepared by Sandip Jacques raised serious questions on the acquisition of agricultural land for the Tiracol golf course, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has once again strongly batted for project.
Speaking to media persons, Parsekar said, “I have time and again stressed that we need this project, otherwise how will employment be generated? The hospitality industry flourishes here and if this project flourishes, we will get investment which will benefit the State and most importantly Goans who are willing to work in the hospitality industry will get jobs.”
Strongly stating that he welcomes the golf course project by Leading Hotels at Tiracol, he said, “I even welcome similar hotels even at one or two additional locations in Pernem.”
Parsekar, however, pointed out that Jacques was appointed by the State Government and not on court’s directives.
“Sandip Jacques was appointed by the State Government to prepare the report. But both, the petitioner as well as the hotel owner, raised objections over his appointment and more specifically about his performance and the way the case moved. As a result, we had not gone through the report and it was rejected. I don’t know now who has gone through it and leaked the report.”
Informing that Jacques was appointed on the directions of Advocate General, Parsekar said, “At that time he was appointed on the directions of Advocate General. But it was pointless accepting the report as both the parties had objected. As per my information, we had received written objections from both the parties”.
He, however, stated that even if records state that the land is agricultural, it does not mean that agricultural activities are being carried out there.
“There is a difference between agricultural land and agricultural activities taking place in actually”, he said.
