TEAM HERALD
[email protected]
MARGAO: A group of Cuncolim citizens under the banner of Cuncolim Citizens Forum and Utt Cuncolkara, besides some land owners, including the Sociedade Agricola dos Gaunkares de Cuncolim e Veroda have come out strongly in support of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) institute at Cuncolim.
Addressing the media, president of Cuncolim Citizens Forum Mario Moraes said people of Cuncolim and Balli, besides the land owners had opposed the NIT in 2011 over a host of factors, including the government decision to acquire 12.67 lakh sq mts of land spread in the two locations. “The objection was then raised because the previous Congress government did not take the people and the land owners into confidence. The land including seven lakh sq mts comprising of two hillocks with dense forest trees,” Moraes said.
He said that things have changed now with the BJP government dropping seven lakh sq mts of land comprising the two hillocks. “The government is now acquiring only 5.67 lakh sq mts of rocky land. There’s no notified forest land in the present acquisition of 5.67 lakh sq mts and the entire land is classified under Barad category. Also, no land is to be acquired from Balli village,” he added.
Moreover, he said that more than 65 per cent of land totaling 3.75 lakh sq mts belongs to the Gaunkars of Cuncolim, which have agreed to give land for the Goa NIT subject to land acquisition by the government departments concerned. Besides Sociedade, three other private land owners whose land is being acquired have also given their consent for the educational cause and in public interest,” he added.
When quizzed over the reservation of seats and jobs for locals in the proposed institute, Moraes said the government would be approached through local MLA Rajan Naik to meet the aspirations of the locals on the reservation of seats and jobs alike.
Member of Utt Cuncolkara Maruti Desai said only a handful of persons are opposing the NIT project either because of their vested interests or with ulterior political motives. “People of Cuncolim are by and large in favour of the NIT project in Cuncolim. We are a historical village and have a number of educational institutions. The NIT will not only help our youth, but Goans in general,” he added.
Executive member of the Sociedade Agricola dos Gauncares de Cuncolim e Veroda Rudolf Noronha said the Sociedade has decided to give land for the NIT since the project will benefit the local people as well as Goans in general. “The project will usher in development. Employment will be created in the institute for the locals,” he added.
A land looser Rolence Coutinho, who will loose around 40,000 sq mts of land, also attended the media briefing in support of the NIT institute.
