MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured the Goa Legislative Assembly that the government will investigate the controversial sale of land by Zuari Industries Ltd (ZIL) and may revoke the permissions issued for the project if necessary.
This announcement came in response to allegations raised by Goa Forward Party leader and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, who claimed that Zuari had sold industrial land for real estate development.
The Chief Minister revealed that the details of Zuari's land sale have been forwarded to the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) for a legal opinion, although a response is still awaited.
"I am ready to conduct an inquiry. We are transparent. The land was given to Zuari by Bhausaheb Bandodkar for industrial purposes. I will not allow the selling of the land for real estate. If need be, we will cancel the permissions given for the project," Sawant declared.
MLA Vijai Sardesai accused Zuari Industries of selling the land, initially allocated for industrial use to provide employment for Goans, to a real estate company that is developing a multi-storied project in Sancoale.
Sardesai pointed out that the flats in this project are being sold at a steep price of Rs 55,000 per sq mt, making them unaffordable for Goans.
"Bhausaheb Bandodkar had given the land to Zuari for Rs 0.25 per sq mt for industrial purposes so that Goans could get employment. But a flat in a sprawling multi-storied project coming up on the same land is quoting Rs 55,000 per sq mt," Sardesai told the House, describing the development as an affordable housing scheme for outsiders.
Responding to Sardesai's concerns, Revenue Minister Anatasio (Babush) Monserrate noted that the government does not own the land in question, as it belongs to the local comunidade.
"The local comunidade has exhausted all legal options in trying to stop Zuari from selling the land," Monseratte said, indicating the limited power of the government in this matter.
Chief Minister Sawant reiterated his commitment to a thorough investigation, assuring the House that the government would look into the issue and potentially cancel the project's permissions.
Sardesai welcomed the Chief Minister's assurance but pointed out the inconsistency of the government's actions, as it continues to issue permissions to the real estate developers involved.
The issue of Zuari land sale was a major topic in the state assembly in July 2022, with Opposition MLAs urging the government to halt the registration of sale deeds for the real estate land sold by the company.
At that time, the same Chief Minister had promised to keep the registration pending until an inquiry report from the law department was received.
The current developments underscore the ongoing concerns about land use and the potential displacement of local communities in favour of high-priced real estate projects.
As the government proceeds with its inquiry, the outcome will be closely watched by stakeholders across Goa.
