the goan I network
PANAJI
Revenue and Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte on Monday slammed greens and activists who on Sunday held a major public protest against the proposed IT Park at Chimbel, saying the opponents were not even aware of what the project is all about.
Addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat, Khaunte said the same set of people are opposing any economic activity by pushing forth the bogey of environment and were actually “misguiding” the people of Goa.
He said the government for the last 17 months has worked systematically to kick-start a ‘knowledge-based economy’ in Goa and the efforts are just beginning to bear fruit with well-known IT companies either setting shop here or engaging with the government to enter Goa.
“We are serious about it. We will do it at any cost,” Khaunte said, adding that unless infrastructure is put in place, the IT industry in Goa will never take off.
The IT Park in Chimbel is still at its pre-planning stage, Khaunte said adding that only 40,000 square metres will be developed in the first phase for which plans are still to be drawn.
“We have only appointed a surveyor who has cleared shrubs to make a pathway so that the survey work can be carried out. A consultant has also been appointed to draw up the concept drawing of the IT Park which will form the base to finalize the project through consultation with all stake holders including the panchayat and the people of Chimbel,” Khaunte said.
The entire project will have zero carbon footprint and has a huge employment potential in terms of ancillary activities such as transportation, security, hospitality, housekeeping besides technical services, Khaunte said, adding that local youth will be given priority and also facilities for skill training.
He claimed that several IT companies of repute have been showing interest in setting foot here and it is a vertical that Goa can depend on for creating jobs and ignite the spark of reverse brain drain.
