Groups claim the project is a front for construction, hotel lobby
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of Loliem-Polem and the Citizens Committee of Loliem (CCL) have sharply criticised plans by a company, which has Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar as one of its directors, to seek 1 lakh sq. mtrs of land from the Loliem-Polem Comunidade to set up units to process fruits.
The two groups feared that the construction and hotel lobby are being promoted under the garb of agri projects.
“Leaving the fertile land of Khotigao, Gaondongrem, and Shishewal, our local MLA and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar found the rocky plateau of Maditolop to undertake banana plantation,” remarked CCL President Dennis Fernandes.
“Why doesn't he undertake a similar venture on his own land or ask the Poinguinim Comunidade for land? What is so beneficial on Maditolop?”
Loliem-Polem BMC Chairman Manoj Prabhugaonkar warned that Loliemkars are not ignorant people.
“We request Tawadkar not to destroy our village. In fact, he has lots of space, sheds and unused land at the Shristhal Industrial Estate for such projects,” said Prabhugaonkar.
“Such land grabbing should be stopped and instead, efforts should be made to help cultivate the fallow fields in Loliem village.”
A villager and environmentalist Sarang Agrasani feared that such plans were tricks to grab land. He appealed to locals to ensure that land is reserved for the next generation to live peacefully.
“Politicians have already destroyed Khotigao and Gaondongrim by introducing educational institutes and other buildings inside wildlife habitats. We are seeing results of it and are consistently spotting leopards in a broad daylight,” he added.
In a recent Gazette notification, an extraordinary general body meeting of the Loliem-Polem Comunidade has been convened on April 6 at 10.30 am at the Keshav Devalaya, Loliem.
According to the notification, eight application files have been received by Loliem-Polem Comunidade from M/s Mallikarjun Multi-Fruits Processing Producers Co. Ltd (MMFPPCL) for allotment of a total of 1 lakh sq. mtrs of land without formalities like auction, etc. in survey number 358/1 to set up of different types of fruits processing units.
