Loutolim farmers protest against the proposal to acquire their khazan fields for the new Borim bridge. Captured by : File photo
MARGAO
A day after the Central government capped the land acquisition process for the new high-level Borim bridge, Environment Minister Alexo Sequeira on Friday said the government has minimum land vis-Ã -vis the Loutolim khazan fields, from the original proposal to acquire 1.20 lakh square metres finally to 75,000 square metres.
Sequeira, who represents the Nuvem constituency, said the government will ensure that compensation will be paid to the farmers keeping in mind the agricultural activity carried out in the fields, but also pisciculture. “I have tried to prevail upon the PWD that when they calculate the compensation, they should take into account the loss of income from pisciculture,” he said.
The Minister, however, said that since the farmers have gone to the National Green Tribunal and have plans to knock on the doors of the judiciary, the decision of the NGT will prevail over the government. “The farmers still have a window to try. Whatever judicial decision that comes will be binding on the government,” he added.
To a question, Sequeira said he believes that the design of the bridge has been changed after the petition made by the farmers, adding, “That is the reason why the land acquisition has been reduced by around 45,000 square metres.”
Asked how would he convince the farmers, who are his voters, to accept the Central government’s decision to cap the land acquisition, Sequeira said, “They are indeed my voters. They had all in one voice said they wanted a new bridge. There was only the dispute of alignment left to be resolved. I think the government has come out with the best alignment in the given situation.”
Disagreeing that the government has capped the land acquisition just days ahead of the hearing of the case before the NGT on October 22, Sequeira said, “The government has not rushed with the land acquisition. The bridge cannot come overnight. According to me, it will take at least 4-5 years for the bridge to take shape. During this period, the NGT pronounces its judgement. Whether the government likes it or not, the government will have to follow the judgement. The government cannot push the bridge against the NGT judgement as it will amount to contempt of court,” he added.
