Loutolim villagers plan agitation against cricket academy proposal

MARGAO
Loutolim villagers are bracing up to launch an agitation against the government’s move to declare an area admeasuring 25,000 square metres as an investment promotion area for a cricket academy.
At the previous gram sabha held last year, the villagers had opposed the decision of the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board granting in-principle approval to the Ms Venture Building Dreams Private Limited project. After adopting a unanimous resolution, the gram sabha had told the Panchayat body to communicate the opposition of the local populace to the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board.
However, the Department of Industries has now issued a proclamation proposing to declare 25,000 square metres of land at Loutolim village as an investment promotion area for the construction of a cricket academy and allied sports arena.
The government has invited all persons who have any objections to the proposal to submit the same in writing, with reasons therefor, to the Director of Industries, Trade and Commerce, within a period of one month from the date of publication of this proclamation in the Official Gazette.
Expressing shock over the government’s decision to bulldoze its move to declare 25,000 square metres of village land as an investment promotion area, activist Franky Monteiro said the government seemed determined to push the cricket academy down the throats of the people of Loutolim. He questioned the rationale behind issuing the proclamation by the Department of Industries when the Loutolim gram sabha had last year unanimously opposed the in-principle decision of the Goa Investment Promotion Board for the cricket academy and allied sports arena.
“The decision of the gram sabha was the voice of the people of Loutolim, who are opposed to the in-principle decision of the Goa Investment Promotion Board to declare 25,000 square metres as an investment promotion area. Despite the opposition, the Department of Industries has issued a proclamation inviting objections. We, the people of Loutolim, will vehemently oppose the proposed move tooth and nail,” Monteiro said.
With the government issuing the proclamation, Monteiro said the villagers would soon meet to take stock of the situation and chalk out the future course of action. “They have built the cricket stadium without adhering to construction and planning norms. The gram sabha resolution has demanded action against the stadium. Now, they want to set up a cricket academy in the village. We are totally opposed to these projects,” he added.