PANAJI
The government can do nothing about farmers losing their land for the construction of the Mopa airport bypass, Tourism Minister and Pernem MLA Manohar Ajgaonkar said on Friday.
After his controversial statement, Ajgaonkar later said that the government would offer market rates for the land lost by the farmers.
"The Mopa airport project is being undertaken for employment. I know how much I have suffered to bring the project (to Pernem). When the by-pass road is created, there will be hardship. If we try to resolve their hardship, then we cannot address the unemployment issue. To usher in employment one has to contend (with such issues)," Ajgaonkar said, saying that he had "sacrificed" a lot for the project.
"Lakhs of sq mts was acquired. There were agitations and rasta roko, but we went ahead with the (airport) project. Now some farmers will lose land because of the bypass. It will happen. What can we do about it?" the deputy Chief Minister said.
