PANJIM: Vanxim locals appeared divided over Ozone Group’s five star eco-friendly resort being built on the island on three lakh square meters, approximately.
There were heated discussions at a meeting in Panjim organized by Human Rights Law Network-Goa (HRLN) where arguments over the development project at Vanxim and basic facilities deprived to the people living on the island were brought up.
A group of villagers led by resident Mansi Parab said there are no basic facilities like, water, proper roads, hospital and schools on the island and for that reason Ozone group is helping the villagers get employment and be self employed.
Parab said Ozone group has trained villagers to be self-employed and presently the women are involved in the jute bag business and earning some money, whereas the government has deprived them of their basic needs.
Activists Anand Madgavkar and Prajal Sakhardande asked this group of villagers what type of development they wanted.
Persons from the other group and activists alleged that the group supporting Ozone has been misguided and been given false assurances by the developer.
A former panch from Divar island alleged that every elected member has been bribed. He said when he was a panch, Rs 10 lakh was offered to him to shut his mouth, which he had refused.
