MAPUSA
The Opposition on Friday told the legislative assembly that the industrialists indulged in various forms of irregularities and encroached on large tracts of land in various industrial estates in the State, particularly in Cuncolim, while the government was turning a blind eye to the illegalities.
The opposition MLAs also warned that if the government fails to take immediate action against the irregularities, then it could lead to a law and order problem.
“The industrial units have encroached around 30,000 to 40,000 sq mts of land. At least 200 to 300 labourers are staying there but they do not have a proper effluent treatment plant (ETP) in the area. It is creating a lot of tension between the locals and the outsiders,” said Yuri Alemao, the Leader of Opposition.
He said the industrial units were indulging in various forms of irregularities, including large-scale pollution, while the industries department was not taking any action against the units.
“The industries minister had promised to appoint a nodal agency to look into the issue of encroachment in the last assembly session but today he is saying it is not necessary,” he said.
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa informed that the industrialists have taken the people for a ride by usurping large tracts of land in Cuncolim which could also have a snowballing impact on the Quitol industrial estate.
“There is air and groundwater pollution. Animals have perished in the area. The situation is quite grim. Why is the government turning a blind eye to the encroachment issue?” D’Costa asked.
Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho said the issue of encroachment has been dragging on for the last several years and the present government has started taking proactive action to tackle the situation.
“We are carrying out a digital survey to quantify the size of encroachment and other irregularities indulged by the industrial units in all the industrial estates of the State. The survey of 18 industrial estates out of a total of 23 is complete. Once the survey is complete, the government will take a policy decision on what action to be taken against the infringement. We will take all the MLAs into confidence before taking a decision,” Godinho assured the House.
He also said that there were several export-oriented industrial units operating in the industrial estate of Cuncolim for the last several years which fetched revenue for the State. He said it was not proper to suddenly take action against such units.
