PANAJI: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Friday questioned why Chimbel villagers are continuing their agitation even after the Director of Tourism gave a written assurance that the Unity Mall project would be relocated.
Speaking to reporters, Khaunte said the government has already informed the villagers about its decision to shift the project from the present site at Chimbel. He asked what reason remained for the protest to continue once the assurance had been given.
The minister, who has been one of the main targets of the month-long agitation, also raised questions about the “real intent” of the protesters and suggested there could be political motives behind the movement.
Khaunte has been a strong supporter of the Unity Mall project, which is being implemented by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), under his department.
His relationship with the Chimbel villagers has seen conflict earlier as well. In 2018, when he was IT Minister, Khaunte had proposed an IT Park at the same location. That project was later dropped after sustained protests by the villagers.
