Power Minister says he is ready to host the IIT project in Curchorem and can provide 9 lakh sq mts of land. Very good! What beats me is the logics. Most of the land will be agricultural and will be acquired at those rates - a pittance.
All know very well that the land must be converted to commercial - which commands a hefty rate. So, why does the farmer get the agricultural rate? Surely, this is like a goldsmith telling a woman that the gold jewellery she wants to sell is just plated gold and gives her a pittance.
And we are all quite comfortable with this. Mind you, the land just outside the perimeter of the acquired land will also be converted to commercial but will have been bought up by the politicians at agricultural rates before sanctioning the project. Only they know when and where the project will come and where the boundary ends.
And that is why ministers hesitate to shelve a project like in Mopa as they have 'invested' in the land outside the boundary limits.
A better proposal is to lease the land with annual increases to cover inflation. A win-win situation.
R FERNANDES, Margao
