the goan I network
VASCO
Accusing the State government of pressuring it to pass the controversial Mini India Park project, the Quelossim Panchayat on Tuesday said it would support the people of the village if they continued to oppose the project.
Speaking to reporters, Quelossim Sarpanch Maria Souza said the government has directed them to persuade the people of the village to agree to the controversial Mini India Park project. “I had attempted to speak to the residents because of mounting pressure, but the people began opposing it and hence, I have now informed government officials that I cannot convince the people. Government officials must come themselves to the village and persuade the people on the project,” said Souza.
“The government is pressurising us and threatening us to pass the project, failing which they have warned us that no development works will be taken here.”
“The government has said that for the remaining term of the Quelossim Panchayat, they would not undertake any works in our area and make us sit empty-handed. The Verna industry compensation is also not given and I am not aware why the government is not releasing the funds due to us,” said Souza.
Quelossim Panchayat Dy Sarpanch Seby Serrao informed reporters that the panchayat had opposed the works of the project and the project proponents then appealed before the Directorate of Panchayats. “We had sent our panchayat advocate for the hearing with the secretary of panchayats, who is the appellate authority, but the secretary of panchayats without informing us or our advocate passed a decision in their favour.”
“We have filed a review petition again but we are yet to receive any response,” said Serrao.
“In the meantime, based on the order by the panchayats department, the Mini India project proponent had begun some works using a JCB and we immediately issued a stop-work order and they have stopped the works now.”
“We are going as per law and if residents are opposing the project, we will stand by them no matter what happens next,” said Serrao.
Under law, project cannot become reality: Cortalim MLA
VASCO: Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha on Tuesday said the Mini India Park project at Quelossim could not become a reality under the existing law, as it was being planned in low-lying Khazan land, which is a No Development Zone.
Speaking to reporters from her constituency office in Upasnagar, Saldanha expressed her total support to Quelossim Panchayat in its effort to ensure that the Mini India Park project did not become a reality as the project is an ecological disaster.
“The project proponents, is well aware that Mini India Park project is sought to be setup in low lying Khazan land, which is a ‘No Development Zone’.”
“The proponent is well aware that it is precisely for this reason that the floating platform installed was dismantled by authorities way back in 2014, when residents along with the Cortalim MLA and then representatives of Cortalim-Quelossim Panchayat had objected to the project,” said Saldanha.
“Even the Goa Investment Promotion Board, which had initially given its “In Principle Approval”, withdrew this approval when it realized that the land in question was a Khazan land,” the MLA said.
“The project proponent is trying to revive the project by claiming to have procured some permission from the Captain of Ports (CoP). The proponent is well aware that the CoP can give permission for activities only in the river and not on khazan lands,” added Saldanha.
Saldanha expressed concern that the secretary of panchayats had passed an order without giving the Quelossim panchayat an opportunity to be heard on the issue, “despite knowing that the panchayat had revoked its NOC as per a panchayat resolution in 2018.”
“The Quelossim Panchayat will ensure that this project, which will lead to the destruction of the village, will not be allowed as per law and wishes of residents of Quelossim,” said Saldanha.
