PANJIM: Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar on Tuesday said that the issue of film city was put on hold because of Lok Sabha elections and it will be taken up now.
“Because of the Lok Sabha elections, some issues were put on hold, but now as the elections are over, discussions over them will start. These include film city project also. Now, it will be discussed whether it will come up or not. Proposal is there with the government but it could not be taken up due to the elections. Now it will be discussed,” he told reporters at the Assembly complex Porvorim.
Though Loliem Comunidade has granted approval to hand over 250 acres of its land on the Bhagwati Plateau to the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) on a 99-year-long lease to set up the contentious project, Loliem villagers have vowed to continue their fight to protect the plateau.
Despite stiff opposition from the villagers to set up a Film City in their village, the Loliem-Polem Comunidade’s managing committee had in February this year given its consent to the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) for setting up the controversial mega project in the village.
When asked about disqualification petitions filed by the Congress leaders, he said, “The hearings are on but I cannot give decisions suddenly.”
However, Goa Congress president Amit Patkar alleged that the government is trying to divert attention from core issues faced by Goans.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said, “Shameless @BJP4Goa once again tries to divert attention from Core Issues faced by Goans by spreading lies. We once again demand that @goacm @DrPramodPSawant should speak on Collapse of Law & Order, Link of @BJP4India with @DGP_Goa in Assagao House Bulldozing Case, Unemployment in Goa, Rise is Drugs & Prostitution, Massive Land Conversions & today’s comments of Speaker @rameshtawadkar stating Goa has lost its Culture & Identity.”
