TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Stage is finally set for the Parrikar government to take a final call on the NIT project at Cuncolim as the land acquisition officer has capped the three-day inquiry on Friday after individual hearing of the parties who had represented for and against the controversial project.
The inquiry report under Section 5-A of the Land Acquisition Act will now be forwarded to the government for a final decision on the project. Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition) Umakhant Korkankar will now inspect the site along with surveyors and technical officials of the acquiring department, Directorate of Technical Education. “It will take me few days to compile a report under Section 5-A of the Act before the same is forwarded to the government for a decision”, Umakhant told Herald.
Sources said that the deputy collector had received as many as 21 representations, mostly opposing the land acquisition on grounds unconnected to the land issue, but on issues such as reservation of jobs and seats for local youth in the institute et al. Sources in the know said these issues do not fall within the domain of the deputy collector, land acquisition, under section 5-A. “These are matters primarily concerning the policy decision of the government. The government will take a call on these issues”, officials said. A technical official, attached to the Directorate of Technical Education, was also present during the inquiry to assist the land acquisition officer in answering the technical queries.
Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Devendra Desai also appeared before the land acquisition officer seeking to know whether the NIT would provide seats and jobs to locals, while Dr Jorson Fernandes sought to know why land admeasuring 12 lakh sq mts was required before finally settling for 6.09 lakh sq mts.
When questioned, the land acquisition officer said the government has put for acquisition 6.09 lakh sq mts of land, even as sources say the government may restrict the acquired area to around 5.60 lakh sq mts.
Incidentally, Herald inquiries have revealed that the land acquisition department, is yet to deposit the initial amount with the govt.
