MARGAO: Acknowledging that it has become quite difficult for land acquisitions in present times, Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardessai has assured the people of Cuncolim that nothing would be thrust upon them against their wishes.
Cuncolim inhabitants led by former minister Joaquim Alemao and his son Yuri Alemao had called on Vijai to appraise him of the proposed construction of 2600 houses in an area adjacent to the Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
While stating that the pollution by the industries has made it difficult for people to live near the Cuncolim Industrial Estate, the Alemaos also pointed out that the inhabitants of the 2600 houses would change the demography of the place.
They said the project is being undertaken by the Goa State Urban Development Agency and pointed out that earlier in 2003 the residents had objected to the Goa Housing Board proposal to have a housing society in Cuncolim at Panzorconi which is a totally different place.
Though the houses are proposed to be constructed on a private property admeasuring around 4.5 lakh sq mts, GSUDA is reportedly undertaking the project and hence the government involvement is feared.
Responding to their demand Vijai told them that he had already discussed the matter with Milind Naik, the Urban Development Minister and assured the people that if necessary he would accompany them to meet him.
“The Housing Board has no such proposal and since Milind has just taken over, even he is not aware of it. So, let us talk about it with the minister first,” he said pointing out that it has become quite difficult for the government to acquire land.
Admitting that a housing project may have been conceived under the Prime Minister’s Urban Poverty Alleviation Scheme, he however said the project is in its nascent stage with details not yet disclosed clearly.
In any case he assured the people that nothing would be done against their wishes and further pointed out that with Lok Sabha elections round the corner no decision would be taken given the fact that code of conduct would come into force any moment.
Vijai took a swipe at the Congress Party as it was the Congress government that set up the Cuncolim Industrial Estate where polluting industries were invited to set up shop. “No Goan can work in the ferro alloy factories set up there and it was the Congress that brought these factories,” he said.
