Goemkarponn desk
TUEM: The controversy with regards acquisition of land for does not seem to end.
Earlier this year, after protests and violence over the IIT land acquisition at Shel Melauli, the government decided to shelve the project.
Subsequently, sources say there were plans to acquire 10 lakh sq meters of land for IIT at Tuem in Pernem taluka.
Mandrem MLA Dayanand Sopte earlier made a statement that the IIT is coming to Tuem but after the villagers criticism he took a U-turn on the issue and said there was no plan of IIT in the taluka.
However, even before any moves are made, the villagers of Tuem have shown a red flag.
Nilesh Kandolkar, former sarpanch of Tuem says they have read as per news published in local newspapers that IIT is proposed to be set up in Tuem.
“I as panch member and ex sarpanch of Tuem would like to question to the Government why so much of land acquisition in Pernem taluka only?” he asked.
“I would rather say instead of getting new projects first let this all project which are already there get it completed and functional first and then get other projects. Till date the panchayat has got no benefits at all from several projects nor any people of the taluka has been benefited by this,” he said.
He said that for last five years there has been nothing done physically on the so called projects.
“I don’t know what progress has been done on the files. To start the IIT it requires 15 lackh sq.meter of land. The panchayat and the people of Tuem village should be made aware and taken in to confidence first on what benefits the IIT will bring. Otherwise, I hope it might not be the same like what happened earlier in other villages,” he said.
Locals say there were several lakhs of sq meters of lands acquired for the projects.
“Why only Pernem? We have lost much of land for the government projects. Why are we being victimised?” asked locals.
Following is locals’ contention for opposition:
IDC EXPANSION: Approximately four lacks sq meter of land was taken for extension of IDC in second phase. Till now it is not fully functional the old as well as the new IDC. It has not brought any good jobs or permanent employment to the people of Tuem.
ELECTRONIC CITY: Approximately 7 lacks sq. meter of land was taken and than MLA and ex-chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar said it would generate thousands of jobs. But after 5 years nothing has happened no jobs no employment to the people of Tuem and Pernem. Around Rs 73 cr was already sanctioned by the Central government to Goa but till now not a single company has come up.
TUEM HOSPITAL: new hospital after spending around 50 cr. Still it is not functional only the structure is ready. Twice the health minister has paid a visit there but till now it is still not operational.
PUMPING STATION: The pumping station is already ready (in Sukha Kurnan) which was supposed to pump water to the proposed 30 MLD water treatment plant at Tuem by till date nothing has been done. But the water problem is getting worse day by day.
Besides this, locals say there are several huge projects like sports city, Mopa airport Highway expansion, for which the locals have lost land.
