SANGUEM
Hitting out at Social Welfare Minister & Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai for stating that there does not exist plantation at the proposed site for IIT at Cotarli Sanguem, agitating farmers have challenged Phaldessai to a joint inspection with them to confirm existing plantations within the vicinity of the proposed site.
They also took offence at the MLA’s statement that farmers are funded by vested interest to lead the agitation and asked Phaldessai to come forward with proof to back his claims.
“Instead of targetting farmers with accusations which holds no truth, Phaldessai should compliment the farmers for leading the agitation to protect the farmlands for future generations,” said a farmer, Joseph Fernandes.
“Phaldessai is making all possible attempts to bulldoze the project on pristine farmlands at Sanguem, even after his proposal to set up the plant at Sanguem was rejected by the Centre at first instance.”
Constancio Mascarenhas said should remember that under no circumstances would farmers allow the project to come up at Sanguem.
“He should stop making allegations against the farming community and prevent further loss to BJP party in Sanguem through his attitude,” added Mascarenhas.
“It is time for Phaldessai to come.for site inspection along with the farmers and stop making wild allegations against the farmers who are only fighting to protect the motherland and withdraw his intent of setting up the project at Cotarli Sanguem,” he added.
Interacting with the media on the sidelines to flag off of the pilgrim train to Tirupathi at the Margao railway station on Thursday evening, Phaldessai had dared the people agitating against the proposed IIT to show cultivated paddy in the project area, asserting the area does not play host to any coconut or mango tree.
Asserting that the IIT project would come only in Sanguem, he said those who are opposing the project are not cultivating the fields in the proposed area.“Let them show their Krishi cards to prove they are cultivating the land in question,” he told reporters.
