VASCO: Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha extended full support to the Quelossim panchayat in its effort to ensure that the Mini India Park project does not become a reality.
In a press release, Saldanha claimed that the proponent is aware that Mini India Park project is sought to be setup in low lying khazan land which is a ‘No Development Zone’. The proponent is well aware that it is precisely for this reason that the floating platform installed by the project proponent was dismantled by the authorities, way back in 2014.
The villagers along with the Cortalim MLA and the then representatives of Cortalim-Quelossim Panchayat had objected to the project.
Saldhana said even the Goa Investment Promotion Board, which had initially given its “In Principle Approval, withdrew its approval when it realised that the land in question was a Khazan land.
The project proponent is trying to revive the project by claiming to have procured some permission from the Captain of Ports (CoP). The proponent is well aware that the CoP can give permission for activities only in the river and not in khazan lands,” she claimed.
Saldhana expressed concern at the order issued by the Secretary (Panchayat), Secretariat, without giving Quelossim Panchayat an opportunity to be heard on the issue, despite knowing that the panchayat had revoked the NOC granted by it as per the Panchayat resolution, way back in 2018.
She expressed her confidence that the Quelossim Panchayat will ensure that this project that will lead to the destruction of the village will not be allowed, as per the law and the wishes of Quelossim locals.
