TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Speaking about the controversy over the allotment of plots in the Tuem Industrial Estate, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar denied that any such process had happened till date, seeking to differentiate between ‘allotment of plots’ and `offer of allotments’.
Replying to the discussion on Budget 2013-14 in the Assembly Thursday, he even offered to step down from the post if it was proven that he has misused his position.
“I did not give the plot to anyone. None of those people have got the plots. There is no allotment of plots to whosoever in the Tuem Industrial Estate,” he said, adding that people were confused over ‘allotment of plots’ and ‘offer of allotments’.
He said allotments were not done because the industrial estate is not yet ready and even read out a list mentioning that there is still no NOC from the Town and Country Planning, forest clearance, water and power, and nor are the roads constructed.
His statements came after Congress allegations over illegality into the allotment of plots including to chief minister’s son Abhijat. “My son is capable of taking the person (making the allegations) to court. If he is eligible he will get it,” Parrikar who is also the Goa Industrial Development Corporation Chairman, said adding ‘if someone gets the plot rightfully and government blocks the allotment, he can sue the government’.
The Congress Party had lately lodged a complaint with the anti-corruption branch alleging decision to allot industrial plots at Tuem were taken at the GIDC board’s meeting and that first plot was allotted to Abhijat while also allotting about 40 plots to others.
