Syngenta deal is a land scam, says Madkaikar

Terming the Syngenta transfer deal as a land scam, Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar has asked the BJP government not to fool 

the Goans.

“As far as the employment figures being spoken about by the government are concerned, let me tell you there are hardly 25 Goans employed with Syngenta and that too in the gardens, canteens and as office boys on contract basis,” Madkaiksar said adding, “most of the people employed are non-Goans.”

“Government should not try to fool the people there would be a problem for employees. It is time the government looks into the issue and safeguards interest of people of Goa,” he said.

Madkaikar says it is the responsibility and the duty of the government to take back the land allotted to Ciba under certain conditions while executing the sale deed.

“This land can be used for IT or educational purposes or any other purpose which is not harmful to the surrounding areas,” he said. “At any cost the government should not allow the transfer to a chemical factory or a plant to be set up as it is the question of safety of the people,” he added.

“If the government still allows the transfer than whatever consequences take place will be the responsibility of the chief minister and the government,” Madkaikar said.

He also came down heavily on Industries Minister Mahadev Naik, who has said that the government cannot intervene in the issue. “Is he the Industries minister of the State of Goa or the minister for industrial estates?” he asked.

Madkaikar argued that the original sale deed prevented Syngenta from selling the land, known as Santa Monica, to a third party without giving the original vendor, in this case the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman and the government, the first right to purchase the land.

“The indenture also says that the land cannot be transferred to anybody other than the original purchaser or a subsidiary. Come what may, we will not allow the company to sell the land. As we feel this is nothing but a land scam,” Madkaikar said.

“It is 7.5 lakh sq mts of prime land in Goa and who knows, the new owners may start a real estate business,” he said.