TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco was caught on
the backfoot after Ruling and Opposition benches castigated him over his
perceived opposition or lack of opposition to the 80-room hotel project in
Curtorim, the venture that was supported by him in 2012-13.
The House on Wednesday afternoon witnessed uproar over the
selling of land to non-Goans after it came to light that 12,050 sq mts of land
was sold by Fatorda Vijai Sardesai to one Ramakant Sharma, director of M/s Ira
Exotica Pvt Ltd.
The members of the House expressed their displeasure over
Sardesai’s act and Reginaldo claiming that “these were the two members who had
targeted government over the failure to get Special Status for Goa to protect
its land resources.” Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the House that
while Sardesai sold the land, Reginaldo through a letter in August 2013, while
extending his support to the project had requested government to allow widening
of road. “One side the House unanimously resolves to have Special Status for
Goa and on the other hand the same members of the House sell their land to
non-Goans. This is double-faced,” Congress MLA Mauvin Godinho alleged on the
floor of the House.
The Chief Minister informed the House that the land
belonging to Vijai and Usha Sardesai was sold to one Ramakant Sharma through a
sale deed in September 2012 for Rs 3 crore.
The land which was shown as non development zone in Regional Plan 2001
was converted into settlement in 2009. “There was recommendation from PWD and
panchayat for this project,” he added.
“Goenchea mhojea Goenkarano zayat zage (Goans wake up),” is
Reginaldo’s cellphone ringtone as he claims to fight for Special Status for Goa
and protection of its land. This same MLA (Reginaldo) supported selling of land
to non-Goan by another legislator of our own House,” Goa Vikas Party MLA
Francisco Pacheco said pointing to Reginaldo and Sardesai.
The heated discussion erupted during the calling attention
motion moved by Reginaldo on the fear and anxiety in the minds of the people of
Curtorim on the 80-room hotel project coming up in the residential area in the
village thus disturbing the tranquility of the village and the immediate steps
the government intends to take to revoke the construction license of the
project.
During the entire discussion, Lourenco tried to withdraw his
support to the project, and Sardesai remained calm. “I will withdraw my
support…now I put on record before the House that I oppose this project along
with my people (villagers),” Lourenco said.
Responding to the calling attention same, Chief Minister
said that the NOC given to the project cannot be revoked unless the project
owner violates the conditions laid by the government including the completion
of a 8-metre wide road giving access to the project.
“I assure this House that the completion certificate will be
issued only after proper development of internal road leading from major
district road till the property is made accessible by 8-metre wide road,” he
said, adding that the locals have already started donating land to this project
for road with a hope that employment would be provided to them.
