MAPUSA
Fisheries Minister and local MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar has expressed full support for the proposed private university in Tivim, despite “not knowing” details about the project.
The Pune-based MIT World Peace University has been granted in-principle approval by the Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB) to set up a sprawling campus on 2 lakh square metres of land belonging to the Tivim comunidade.
Halarnkar, addressing the media on Monday, said that while he was unaware of who was behind the project, he wholeheartedly supported the initiative.
"I give 100 per cent support to the institute. I am in the educational field. This institute will help our children," said Halarnkar, adding that he would push for reservations for Goans in the university.
The university plans to offer a wide range of courses, including engineering, medical science, management studies, arts, journalism, and public policy, according to the proposal submitted to the IPB.
The proposal to set up the private university has sparked a debate in the village, with residents raising concerns over the legality of the deal.
Halarnkar dismissed allegations of illegality, stating, “The land belongs to the Tivim comunidade. If the comunidade has given permission and everything is done legally, then what is the problem?”
He emphasised that the land was appropriately zoned for educational use, negating any concerns over the project’s legality.
According to the Fisheries Minister, the land in question was marked as an educational zone in the 2021 Regional Plan.
However, local opposition is growing. Tivim gaunkar Godfrey D’Lima has voiced strong objections, calling the land sale illegal and questioning the transparency of the agreement between the university and the comunidade.
Several villagers have also expressed doubts about the project's impact and are pushing for greater scrutiny of the details.
Despite this, Halarnkar remains firm in his support for the university, framing it as a valuable educational opportunity for Goan students.
