Alleges involvement of a son of a former MLA, says he will not bow down to the gimmicks of protesters
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PANAJI: Terming the opposition to the proposed IT Park at Chimbel as politically-motivated, Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte on Thursday alleged that the son of a former MLA is behind this opposition ‘business’.
“I will not bow down to low, stupid gimmicks of people opposing the IT project,” Khaunte said in a press conference on Thursday.
Reacting to allegations made in relation to the youth who was assaulted in Chimbel a few days back, Khaunte said the incident was of personal nature and has been unnecessarily linked to the IT project issue and hyped.
“As per information that I have received, the youth who has been assaulted has a criminal background. He was involved in extortion and land grabbing issues,” Khaunte alleged.
Criticising the activists who are opposing the Chimbel IT project and the overall opposition to it, Khaunte said people who don’t have any knowledge of IT projects are opposing a proposal which will generate employment.
“Where were these people when builders from outside the state were constructing huge buildings on the Chimbel plateau,” he asked alleging that social media is being misused by social activists.
“Blackmail in one sense cannot be taken as activism. Those who were opposing the Konkan Railway are now using the railway,” he said, adding, that this type of negative publicity gives a bad name to Goa and discourages investors.
He informed that the government will come with a white paper on the project once the consultant on jobs prepares the final draft.
Informing that initially the project will be developed in 10-12 acres out of 130 acres of land in the first phase, Khaunte said there is no danger to the Chimbel lake as the project will be 150 to 200 metres away from it.“We will construct the project by protecting the environment,” the minister assured.
He rubbished allegations that State machinery is being used to suppress the agitation and added that if it were the case, the government would have filed cases against the persons who trespassed on government property and stopped the cleaning at the site in Chimbel.
