PANAJI: The Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar has said that ifthe government decides to drop the plan of setting up the Indian Institute ofTechnology (IIT) complex at the controversial Melaulim site, then it is welcometo set up such a complex in Sanguem constituency.
The plans of the government to set up the educational complex in Melauli villageis being opposed by villagers and environmentalist.
Speaking on the issue, Gaonkar said that it is up to thegovernment to take decisions on the IIT project.
"When Manohar Parrikar was Chief Minister, I had given a proposal of settingup the IIT complex in Sanguem constituency. Even three sites were suggested,"said Gaonkar adding that the proposal was suddenly dropped by the governmentand the project was shifted to Melauli.
Gaonkar said that he had suggested three sites of already acquired lands“ one belonging to the government, other of thecorporation, and one belonging to the forest department, but the proposal wasdropped and no reasons were given.
Gaonkar said that he is still ready to welcome the project in his constituency.
“There is a small issue of encroachment in one of theshortlisted sites which can be sorted out,” he said.
If the people are taken in to confidence before the work of the project iscommenced then the people don't oppose the project, added Gaonkar stating thatthe people from his constituency will not oppose the IIT complex in Sanguemconstituency.
It may be recalled that villagers at Shel-Melauli inSattari has blocked land survey work at the site recently.
Unable to conduct land survey work, a team of officialslater lodged a complaint at the Valpoi police station.
The agitators assembled near the project site at about9.30 am and claimed that they would not withdraw their agitation till the IITproject was cancelled and threatened not to allow any land survey work for theproposed project.
Leaders of the anti-IIT agitation claimed that theirprotest was no longer limited to Guleli Panchayat but had spread to entireSattari taluka and warned the government not to file charges against theprotesters.
The protestors remained at the site for about six hours,preventing any land survey work and dispersed form the site at about 3.30 pm.
A police force was present at the site as a precautionarymeasure to prevent any law and order problem
Sattari Deputy Collector Rajesh Ajagaonkar also warnedthe protestors that they could face action if they continue to disruptgovernment work, but the protestors snubbed his threats and said authoritieswere welcome to take action against them, but they would not permit land surveywork.
Unable to conduct land survey work till 3 pm, theofficials involved in the land survey left the site and later lodged acomplaint at the Valpoi police station.
Sattari Deputy Collector Rajesh Azgawkar tried topersuade the protesters but his efforts were in vain.
