the goan I network
OLD GOA
Speakers on Saturday evening lambasted IT Minister Rohan Khaunte for trying to fool people on promise of jobs and employment, as hundreds of villagers attended a meeting at Indira Nagar organised to oppose setting up of IT Park in Chimbel. Speaking at the meeting, activist Rama Kankonkar said IT education is lagging behind in Goa.
“The gap in the IT education in Goa and the requirement of IT companies is huge. Therefore, Goans themselves will not get jobs in the IT Park, forget about jobs for Chimbel locals,” Kankonkar opined and urged the IT minister not to dangle carrots of promise of jobs.
“The government should employ 70 per cent Goans in existing industries, which will provide employment to all Goans. No need for an IT Park,” he added.
“Yesterday, a presentation was made to panchas. What was the need to have a presentation for those supporting the project? It should have been held for the people who are opposing it. The government is misguiding people and not the activists, as the minister alleges,” he said.
Rudolf Fernandes warned the IT minister not to impose the project on the people.
“Any project should be done with the people’s consent. The minister should not impose the project. If the minister goes ahead with the project, we will hit the streets. He has said IT Park will be built in 18 months. We will see how he does so,” Fernandes warned.
“If we allow him entry, he will destroy the natural resources in Chimbel and the lake. Water is life and we should fight for saving the lake,” he stated.
United Porvorim Citizens Forum President Wilbur Ticlo condemned IT Minister Khaunte for acting like a dictator in Porvorim and doing the same in Chimbel. “The IT Park is only a land scam. They are looting Goa in the name of development,” he alleged.
Govind Shirodkar took the opportunity to hit out at the IT minister who, he said, had stated that he would take people into confidence on the IT Park. “But yesterday, only panchayat members along with the MLA and ZP member were given a presentation. Why not us,” he questioned while further condemning Khaunte’s statement that those who want to know about IT Park should seek permission.
“This only shows the real intention of the IT minister that he is hiding the real intention of the IT Park and does not want to be exposed on the same,” Shirodkar opined.
“The real intention is to get road access to an adjoining property of 6 lakh square metres, which is developed by his brother,” alleged Shirodkar.
Former MLA Victoria Fernandes, Trajano D’Mello, Sandesh Kunkolkar, Ramkrishna Jalmi, Arturo D’Souza, Ana Gracias, Smita Shirodkar and others also spoke on the occasion.
