Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday denied any connection with Bhutani and its ‘controversial’ mega housing project at Sancoale.
“I have no connection with Bhutani. Not a single permission is given by any of my departments,” he said, adding that permissions were given by earlier government. Media should find out who converted the land and who had given permissions to this (Bhutani) project. You will know when the process was started and everything will open up.”
When asked whether his government will review and withdraw permissions granted to Bhutani since villagers of Sancoale are opposing the project, Sawant said, “I need to follow procedure to cancel the licences if they are not obtained properly.”
Responding to his presence at a programme at Bambolim on Sunday allegedly sponsored by Bhutani, the Chief Minister said it was a private programme organised by a media house and that the government and Bhutanis had nothing to do with it.
“I attended the programme since I did not want to skip it at the last minute,” he said.
Sawant said that people should check the history of those protesting against the project, and their antecedents and affiliations.
The Chief Minister also denied that he disrespected the National Anthem by leaving the venue when it was played inside the hall.
“I stood up when the National Anthem was played. For me nation is first. I am not a fool to leave when it is played. They should not misguide the people and stop making a video viral on social media.”