PANJIM: The Molcornem gram sabha on Sunday unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposed IIT project at Cotarli-Sanguem.
A majority of gram sabha members present raised their hands to support the resolution against the IIT project.
Among the various issues discussed at the gram sabha, the proposed IIT project was the matter of heated discussion wherein the villagers criticised the panchayat body for not allowing to take up this issue for discussion during the previous gram sabha.
On Sunday, the villagers had strength in numbers as residents from Nagve and Molcornem joined hands demanding discussion on the IIT issue. Three villagers from Nagve Ward had written to the panchayat stating that the matter be taken up for discussion during the gram sabha.
Molcornem Sarpanch Rajesh Gaonkar said that no land in the village is going to be affected due to the IIT project and if so, then the panchayat would oppose it.
“I will be with the people in opposing it if the project is going to affect the village,” he assured the gram sabha.
Gaonkar told the villagers that the panchayat has not received any communication from the government that the project is coming within the jurisdiction of the Molcornem panchayat and therefore the question of raising this issue did not arise.
He further told the villagers to substantiate their claim with documents so that they could discuss the issue by convening a special meeting. At that moment, a villager produced a document that facilitated the discussion.
The villagers then demanded that a resolution against the IIT project be passed. “We do not need to hold a special meeting because the villagers are already present in this gram sabha,” echoed the villagers in one voice and unanimously passed the resolution against the IIT project.
Kiran Malkarnekar, a villager later said that he had evidence that the land in Molcornem area was sold for the IIT project and then he produced the document before the gram sabha.
He claimed that the land has been acquired for the IIT project. He said that the documents clearly showed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has mentioned that the project should be completed as early as possible.
The people said that there was no need for a special gram sabha and then unanimously passed a resolution opposing the IIT.
Panch Flazer Da Costa stood by the people in unanimously passing the resolution against the IIT project.
The sarpanch later stated another special gram sabha will be held to discuss the IIT project and added that this is not the final decision.
