TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: If the people of Tiracol thought that their nightmare over the Golf Course and villa project was going to end anytime soon, here’s some news. Their chief minister and MLA from the taluka plans four more such projects, inspite of very serious questions being raised about the environmental impact of such projects in this fragile zone.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said he would ensure his support to ‘four more projects’ in Pernem for the sake of development and jobs.
He added that the amount accepted for allowing land conversion is holding back the government from revoking the project, and reiterated that Leading Hotels Pvt Ltd, the project proponents, have complied with all legal procedures.
“I feel like this (Tiracol project), four more hotels should come up,” he told reporters on Monday in response to a question about the government being adamant on its decision to allow the project despite opposition from a section of Tiracol residents and environmentalists.
The chief minister denied that the company has skipped any procedures to go ahead with the project. “I believe that all the procedures are complete and NOCs obtained (by the company). Government has accepted the amount on (land) conversion. How can I (go) back now? It is my responsibility, I support it,” Parsekar said.
He not only reiterated his support for the golf course-cum-resort but pointed out that several illegal commercial structures along the Pernem coastline didn’t lead to any protest.
“At least 99 per cent hotels on the coast (in Pernem) are illegal. I never objected to it because they are in charities and all. When a project follows all the legal procedures, it is objected to and the ones not possessing valid permissions are supported,” he said.
He added, “Khalap and his tenants are protesting,” but didn’t elaborate on or explain the comment.
During an interaction with Herald on May 30, Parsekar had clarified that the government is neither pushing nor supporting the projects, a statement which he repeated on Monday. He had also claimed that he had always been in support of this project even while he was in the opposition – during the Congress’ tenure.
“The project was given in-principle approval before the 2012 elections when Congress was in power. I was in the opposition and when the BJP came to power, I supported it because of job creation,” he said, adding that the project alone will create 500-800 jobs for local youth.
