VIJAYKUMAR KOPRE
PRATIK PARAB
The issue of IIT at Loliem has been a much spoken about recently and now it faces the ultimate democratic litmus test — the assembly elections of 2017. Allegations and counter allegations have already been made where the group opposing the IIT say that they are protecting the basic needs and interests of people, while the pro-IIT group says it’s a requirement of the hour. It’s a requirement of the place. It will put the state on the global education map. The water scarcity of Canacona and its environmental riches is a known fact. However, the voting pattern will show what Loliemkaars will vote for.
With sources ground to the groud, it is easy to assess that Canconkars are not in a mood to make Loliem IIT as a issue in Assembly Elections because of the sheer depth and the dimensions of the issue which may either lift or completely destroy the one taking it up. Presently very few handful voters and allegedly those those who have encroached into Communidade land may support this issue. The trend says that political parties and candidates are not interested to make this as a issue. The reason being most Canacona Constituents are in favour of IIT.
The BJP is calling IIT their baby, but opposition may it be Congress or AAP or for that matter MGP too wont have the guts to make IIT as issue in elections. All that is being spoken is privately and candidly where reports have it that some candidates have privately endorsed the view of those who oppose IIT. They are assuring those few who oppose IIT with a assurance to find solution.
For now, the entire Loliem Panchayat has shown scanty interest in making it as issue but the Maddi Talap Voters will certainly have anger on ruling BJP because of IIT. BJP is listing the advantages of IIT. But the opposing side has found no substance to oppose IIT and make it as a issue. The politicians staying out of range of this issue has been clear during the agitation and also in the Gram Sabha meetings where no Politician showed their interest on IIT issue.
However, the Citizens Committee of Loliem have taken objection to the selection of the Bhagwati plateau at Loliem village the permanent location for the proposed IIT campus at Goa. The CCL has already told that the IIT will result in the destruction of this highly eco-sensitive plateau and the loss of invaluable economic, environmental and social services provided by this plateau to the villagers. The Plateau is a source of fresh water for wards of Peddem, Agas, Maxem, Karoim, Iddar and other places around the land. There are numerous perennial springs that emanate from the Bhagwati plateau and support the lives of thousands. Now, any interference with its pristine nature will destroy the recharge qualities and permeability of the plateau and source of drinking water of thousands of residents.
Meanwhile, the supporters of IIT have suggested to set up a committee at state level of all the concerned departments and IIT officials, headed by a people-friendly senior bureaucrat, to prepare a report on the IIT project and infrastructural facilities like water, power, sewerage, garbage disposal, roads etc to be provided to the whole village without affecting the ecology and our water sources as well as the employment and business opportunities that would be made available with a preference to the locals by setting up this project.
The issue is at the stage where there are 2 warring groups within the village and also within the Panchayat. When asked the Poinguinim Zilla Parishad Member Pushpa Aiya she said “The issue is basically of misconceptions and misinformation regarding resources and other. Frankly speaking, all this time in my campaign I have not felt it is a issue for the people as there is not much discussion regarding the same,” she said. She also told that the its a 50-50 percent divide which can clear after proper information.
Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar has already said, “There is a sense of vested interests in the entire agitation and confusion is the reason for the opposition of the project.”
