Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of causing extensive damage to Goa through large-scale land conversions during its tenure in power.
Responding to allegations raised by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Rane claimed that the Congress government was responsible for converting nearly 9.5 crore square metres of land—an amount he described as the highest in the state’s history. He alleged that these conversions had led to widespread ecological harm and long-term consequences for Goa’s environment.
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The minister further accused the Congress of destroying traditional salt pans, which he said resulted in irreversible ecological damage. Taking aim at the party’s recent criticism of the government, Rane questioned its credibility on environmental issues.
“The same Congress that converted maximum land and destroyed salt pans is now sitting on public platforms demanding that Goa be saved,” Rane said, asserting that the party lacked the moral authority to lecture the government on environmental protection.
The exchange comes amid ongoing political debate over land use, development policies and environmental conservation in the state.
