the goan I network
PANAJI
The State government issued a proclamation in the official gazette for its controversial IT park project at Chimbel on Thursday. In the proclamation, the government has said that around 4.49 lakh square meters of land will be used for setting up of an integrated Information Technology Township and around 8,382 sq mts area at Penha-de-Franca, Bardez will be used to setup a hybrid IT Park.
Once the proclamation comes into force, the local panchayats will cease their rights over the earmarked area and the Goa Information Technology Development Corporation will be responsible for assessment and recovery of taxes in their place. The Corporation will have powers to control construction activity, levy and collect taxes, fees and other dues in respect of local authorities. The proclamation published in the official gazette calls on citizens to submit objections if any within two months from the day proclamation is issued.
The land at Chimbel was transferred to the department in 2015 and consultants have already prepared the design and concept plan of the proposed IT town. Due to opposition from locals, the project at Chimbel and Porvorim were delayed for some years.
Chimbel Gram Seva Kala Ani Sanskruti Manch and green activists have opposed the Chimbel IT park claiming that the said project is being developed in the ecologically sensitive area. The activist have also challenged the government taking around 4.49 lakh sq mts of land when just 10,000 sq mts of land is required to build the park.
