Herald: You have been leading the protest along with Orixtt Porjecho Awaaz. Can you just tell us the reasons for opposing it?
Babu Kavlekar: First thing, the place was acquired for industrial purposes when I was the GIDC chairman. Along with Betul panchayat, all surrounding panchayats like Fatorpa, Morpirla, Barcem, Khola, and so also Quepem municipality, the devalaya committee and the comunidade took resolutions that there should be an industry here. Hence, we opposed it to bring industries here. I have taken the pain of getting the roads done, brought a water line spending Rs 17 cr from Selaulim. Our aim was to get non-polluting industries like Verna so that the local unemployed youth get employment.
Herald: But during your tenure, the land was initially reportedly given for a food processing park and a real estate agent which you had to take back following a public protest. Isn’t it?
Kavlekar: First thing, the land was not allotted at all. It was just a plan and if it was given, how is it still available and given to the defence. We had initially acquired land for a food processing park but some locals objected to it as it would create pollution and considering the sentiments, we dropped the plans of a food park and named it a general industrial estate. So to be clear that they are just allegations, I have never given it to real estates. The possession is still with the GIDC, so where is the question? It is just a false allegation.
Herald: The Chief Minister say
s Defexpo will benefit locals as it will get revenue to the village. Your say?
Kavlekar: Defexpo will not benefit local people in any way as there are no hotels, no taxis or no restaurants. How does the Chief Minister say it will benefit locals? Yes, it would benefit the coastal areas where there are five star hotels, restaurants etc but not here. Quepem taluka will earn nothing. Also, how much would the hotels too benefit in just 4 days.
Herald: There are allegations that locals are not interested and only politicians are dragging them into agitation as said by the panchayats and communidade who have extended their support to the event.
Kavlekar: It is the people who have started the agitation first and not me. I have extended my support. Also, people are opposing just because they don’t know what is happening. Whatever is learned is only through the papers. People want the government to come and explain the advantages and benefits and what exactly the defence expo is. Why did they not come to the people? Why wait till the last minute? Orixitt Porjecho Awaaz had started the agitation for the last five months but no dialogue has been initiated with them on the issue.
Herald: Why did you not take up the issue earlier? Is it only due to the forthcoming elections that you are here now to support people?
Kavlekar: I did not want to politicize the issue. The message should not go that since the ruling party is organising an event, the opposition is against it. Hence, I gave my support to OPA and the Betul panchayat which is fighting the issue and decided to take a back seat initially.
