CANACONA: The government’s decision to call off the proposal to construct the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus at Loliem has left pro and anti-IIT lobbies confused.
It may be recalled that a huge mass of land of about 13 lakh sq mts belonging to the comunidade of Loliem was proposed to be acquired to set up IIT, at Bhagawati plateau at Loliem. All the efforts from the administration and the faculty of IIT, Ponda fell flat when the proponents could not satisfactorily answer the queries raised by the locals.
When Herald spoke to a cross section of the villagers it is found that this offer has neither brought cheers to the pro nor to anti IIT camp.
“The villagers of Loliem have clearly and repeatedly informed the Chief Minister and all concerned authorities that Bhagwati plateau is the most critical environmental and socioeconomic benefactor of the communities living below the plateau, which cannot be used for any other purposes under any circumstances. Regarding the setting up of IIT anywhere else in the State, the Chief Minister should first carry out proper studies on the impact and then obtain an informed decision from the local residents” said the president of Citizens Committee of Loliem Denis Fernandes.
Mr. Nishant Prabhudesai however was diplomatic in his reaction to the statement made by the CM. He said “With panchayat election round the corner the candidates close to the CM might have influenced him to make this statement which he may be thinking will neutralise some of the voters who oppose the IIT at Loliem, if you look at the last voting patten at the assembly elections the BJP candidate got a beating in all the Loliem-Polem booths, so in the fear of loosing the panchayat this could be a last desperate attempt to reclaim lost ground. There is also the possibility the CM must have understood the reasons why we are opposing the IIT project in Loliem and must have decided against it”
Mr. Manoj Prabhugaonkar told Herald “Loliekars have given their verdict to the government through the assembly elections and people will also show their anger through the upcoming panchayat elections by electing new anti IIT candidates. After driving off IIT from 4 places government along with a few selfish people tried to dump IIT on our head. Inspite of improper facilities in Canacona, the govt setting up such project would only give rise to the problems. I request government to take peoples consent and study the need for IIT in goa before setting it up anywhere.”
The Sarpanch of the outgoing panchayat body Mr. Bhushan Prabhugaonkar cautiously said “We tried to push the IIT project as we thought it would bring development in the southernmost village of ours. It is a non polluting educational project, India is a democratic country and all citizens have equal right to voice their opinion. If a majority of the villagers don’t want this project in our village and govt agrees to it then I don’t have a say on it and accept their decision as I am not the final authority in this regard, if CM decides on shifting the venue than I accept his decision too”.
Mr. Mohandas Lolienkar a local businessman and a senior leader of Goa Forward party says “IIT should come to our village for development and it is a non polluting project, the village is become an old age home as most have shifted to cities for education and jobs. Personally I don’t have any personal agenda in supporting the IIT project , progress of the village is the only objective. It has become a fashion to oppose each and everything now a days and in future they will understand the consequences of opposing such a project of national importance”.
Mr. Prashant Naik a student leader in his college days and a senior leader of Goa Forward party from Loliem told Herald that “The union human resource development ministry had considered the Loliem plateau for setting up an IIT after due deliberations. Shifting the venue at this stage would only delay the construction of this premier institute which is presently functioning from the campus of GEC. One has to also go into the issues raised by the opponents of this project which according to me would be similar all over Goa. It may be noted here that the NIT project was also opposed initially at Cuncolim, but after repeated dialogue with the locals the opposition died down and the project is coming up there. Similarly attempts could be made to address the problems of the villagers here. We at Nirakar Education Society which is one of the premier educational institute in the Canacona taluka are ready to interact with any one and convince them on the suitability of this non polluting educational project to the taluka”.
