PANJIM: Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai, seeking comments from his office, raised apprehensions over the possible cutting of 900 coconut trees at Amdai in Sanguem – where a liquor and brewery factory by Vani Agro Pvt Ltd has been proposed – and has called upon Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to review the permission granted to this red category industry by the Investment Promotion Board.
Sardesai, who took to social media to make his views public, was countered by former BJP Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar, who categorically turned down the claim of 900 coconut trees stating ‘report says only 10 trees were cut and not hundreds as claimed by then opposing people’.
“Is a plot of 900 coconut trees not a coconut orchard? Is it an industrial plot and can such rampant killing of coconut trees be allowed only in the name of employment creation? The Director Agriculture may comment,” states a June 6 noting of the Minister, which he had made public through his twitter account.
His comments were to the May 15 inspection report of the department, which states that there are approximately 900 coconut trees in the plot but only 10 trees were stumps, which appear to have been cut over a period of time that is last two-three years.
“When we (Goa Forward Party) were in opposition, we had strongly objected the project as it is against the interest of Goa and Goenkarpon. Though, now we are part of the government, our agenda has not changed,” Sardesai said.
The Minister said he has already urged the Chief Minister to review all projects approved by IPB during its last term under Laxmikant Parsekar, this also includes the Vani Agro project.
“IPB should not be a route for promoting pollution, non-people friendly industries in the State. This is my strong demand that we cannot allow red category industries in Goa in the name of IPB, employment and investment,” he said.
