Marcaim locals object to proposed land lease pact
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARCEL, DEC 13
Residents of Marcaim, the Parampai Citizens Forum and Madkaim Nagrik Kruti Samiti have strongly objected to the proposed long-term land lease agreement by Marcaim Communidade to transfer around 2 lakh sq mtrs of land to a religious institute based in Canacona.
According to information, a religious organization based in Canacona is planning to acquire land measuring 1,99,650 sq mts of Marcaim Communidade land near the Madkaim Industrial Estate.
Addressing a press conference in Ponda, residents alleged that the proposed land lease agreement is a big fraud and that government should look into the matter at the earliest.
Villagers claim that information obtained through RTI proves that the land is being fraudulently acquired by a mutt for religious purposes.
“This is nothing but a land grab deal under the pretext of setting up a religious institute and for social work. The mutt committee claims that they have no land, but information obtained through RTI has revealed that this particular mutt owns 3 lakh sq mts of land in Canacona. I don’t understand why this so-called religious organization wants land here at Marcaim,” said Mahabaleshwar Ghaisas, president of Marcaim Nagarik Kruti Sammitti.
Since the last many years, Marcaim villagers have been requesting the Marcaim communidade for land to construct houses. But instead, the communidade has freely decided to give huge land to a mutt. Villagers are in need of land as the existing houses are getting overcrowded due to increase in population,” Ghaisas said.
“We will not allow this to happen and we request the government to look into the matter or else we will be forced to take law into our hands,” he warned.
During the briefing, the members also highlighted other issues troubling residents of the village.
Marcaim Nagarik Kruti Samitti Secretary Sunil Shirodkar claimed that there are some industrial units which are hazardous and need to be closed down.
“Because of these polluting industries, villagers are exposed to skin diseases, TB and other ill-effects. We are suffering and authorities are least bothered. Villagers on numerous occasion have raised voice against these industries but hardly to any effect. I request the authorities to kindly take a quick action and close down these polluting industries located in the Marcaim Industrial Estate,” he said.
Others present at the press meet included President of Parampai Citizens Forum Deepu Naik, Ponda Taluka Shiv Sena Chief Kamlakant Naik and committee members of the Marcaim Nagarik Kruti Samiti and the Parampai Citizen Forum.