Displaced families will be given preference for jobs at Mopa airport: CM

PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday assured the House that the Goans and displaced families will be given preference for jobs at the proposed Greenfield international airport at Mopa.

In a written reply tabled on the Floor of the House, Sawant said that the concession agreement with GMR Goa International Airport Limited, envisages obligations relating to employment of people of Goa and displaced family.

“The concession Agreement, the Concessionaire will develop an Aviation Skill Development Center at ITI Pernem or any other Government ITI in the State of Goa to impart skill/training to make the youth employable as the airport becomes operational,” the Chief Minister said, while replying to a question tabled by BJP MLA Francisco Silveira.

Replying to yet another question by Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte, Sawant said that due to the status quo order of the Supreme Court passed on January 19, 2019, that stopped the project work, the earlier schedule of completion of first phase of the project, planned on or before September 3, 2020, may not be met.

“Now, the Supreme Court vide its judgment dated January 16, 2020 has allowed construction to resume. The revised schedule of completion is being worked out,” he said.

The CMfurther said that the government has given 2130.8 acres of land to the Concessionaire on Right of Way basis for development of airport.

He added that the government has paid a total of Rs 43.58 crore towards the three time compensation to the farmers and others, whose lands were acquired for the project.