PANJIM: Industries Minister Mahadev Naik has blamed the erstwhile Congress regime for the controversies surrounding the Goa Industrial Development Corporation’s plan for an industrial estate in Poinguinim, Canacona.
“Our government did not start this project …it was in fact started by the previous government,” he said on Thursday.
A peaceful protest under the banner of Poinguinkarancho Ekvott was held in Panjim on Wednesday demanding that government immediately stop the land acquisition process.
The villagers have raised concerns about availability of water to them. They have also opined that there is no need for another industrial estate when there are vacant plots in the existing industrial estates. Naik cited that the process of land acquisition is continuous and it has already begun adding that proposals for setting up industries in villages should be scrutinized thoroughly.
“Unless I receive their grievances in writing, I will not know what they want and how can I be of help to them?” he questioned to a question on the protest. In the same breath, he supported the setting up of industries, for it brings job opportunities for the locals. “It is good that industries are coming up as it will solve the unemployment problems among the educated youth. If industries don’t come up, what will the local youth do?” he questioned.
