The issue of Mini India project at Quelossim has always remained as one of the frequently debated issues during the gram sabha meetings of Cortalim-Quelossim village Panchayat in the past five years.
While there are people openly opposing the project, there are others who are supporting it, but want to do it silently and this had led to severe confusion among the villagers.
Interestingly more than the people, elected leaders in the Cortalim-Quelossim village Panchayat seem to be more confused about the project. While few of them have been indirectly speaking in favour of project, however, considering Panchayat elections in next few months, panchas from these twin villages are avoiding wrong statement that would hurt the sentiments of the locals and diminish their chances of winning the next elections.
Read their carefully guarded statements which actually mean that they are taking no stand or keeping their feet on both boats- for and against the project
“I am with the people. It is up to the villagers to decide whether they want Mini India Project or not. If all the villagers from Cortalim-Quelossim villagers want it for betterment of the village then I am with them. However, the same should be taken up within the framework of the law. Project proponent should first get the approval from all concerned departments,” said Panch Member Anita Kenkre.
Like Kenkre other leaders also “want to be with the people” Panch member Raymond Desa claimed that he would support the people in their decision on the Mini India project. “I am with the people and that is why I was the first panch who had initially opposed the project when the file had come to Panchayat seeking willingness letter. Now I feel that not many Cortalim villagers have been opposing the project and it is only Quelossim village that is opposing the project,” he said.
“As far as the Mini India park project is concerned, it has advantages and disadvantages. The project will generate large employment in the village, plus the project proponent has promised to make budget provision of Rs 1 crore for taking up developmental projects in the village annually. However, I feel that the owners should take care of other aspects like garbage and water,” Desa added.
Panch member Elvira Fernandes said the project is good but is proposed at a wrong site. “The project is good but since it is near a CRZ area, it has been facing issues. The owners have also not provided clear cut details of the project and so people have been opposing”.
But there’s one man who has clearly made up his mind- the Cortalim-Quelossim Sarpanch Hillario Figueiredo.
Openly criticising the people for opposing Mini India Project for the sake of opposing, he claimed that only few people in the village have been opposing the project so as to take a political mileage. He said the project was passed by the BJP government. However, people have been misguided that the project was passed by the Panchayat. “We have no powers to pass any such project. It was BJP government that passed the project and not the Panchayat. After I became Sarpanch in 2012, I asked the people and no one objected. Therefore, I had given a willingness letter to project proponent, but I don’t know why this is an issue where the panchayat is blamed. Also, we are ready to comply with any directions given by the court” he said.
He further said: “I feel that the project is good as 80 per cent locals would be given employment in the project. Thus if environment is taken care of, the project would be beneficial for the village.”
