Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Goa Assembly witnessed sharp exchanges over the proposed integrated resort project by Delta Corp Ltd, with Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao questioning the government’s decision-making process, especially the de-notification of irrigation land.
Alemao demanded clarity on the alleged de-notification of over 3.33 lakh sq. metres of command area under the Tillari Irrigation Project to facilitate Delta Corp’s resort project. He questioned why the Command Area Development Authority (CADA) was bypassed in the process.
In response, WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar asserted that no final decision has been taken yet. “A CADA meeting is scheduled immediately after the Assembly session. The Board will examine the matter and take an appropriate decision. I am quite capable of protecting the command area,” Shirodkar said.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant also clarified that the land in question belongs to Delta Corp Ltd and was not allotted by the government. He said the land is located close to Mopa International Airport (MIA) and is not classified as a paddy field. “The Investment Promotion Board (IPB) has granted them permission, subject to clearance from CADA. The matter is currently sub judice following a PIL in the High Court, and we will act as per the court’s directive,” CM Sawant added.
Yuri Alemao also raised separate concerns regarding the de-notification of land in the Kada area and demanded that the decision be reversed. Minister Shirodkar said the issue would be taken up in the Kada Board meeting, scheduled post the Assembly session.
In a related clarification, the WRD Minister had earlier stated that the 33 hectares of land under the Tilari Irrigation Project that were de-notified do not belong to the department, but to individual farmers. “If the farmers choose to sell their land, the WRD has no role in denotifying it,” he said.
