Villagers of Betul-Naquerim and Quittol vowed to vehemently oppose the proposed Industrial Estate at Quittol, Quepem, at a meeting organised by the Betul-Naquerim Citizens Action Committee at Quepem on May 24. Among the speakers, Fr Maverick Fernandes, executive secretary of the Council for Social Justice and Peace, stressed that the existing Industrial Estates in the state have been of very little help to the local people as they do not offer sufficient remuneration and hence benefit the outsiders. [GT]
Quepem meet throws light on ill effects of food park
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
QUEPEM, MAY 24
The Betul, Canaguini Naquerim Citizen Action Committee on Sunday organized a public meeting in Quepem to create awareness among the people about the ill effects of the proposed Food Park/Industrial Estate at Naquerim.
Addressing the gathering, Council for Social Justice and Peace Executive Secretary Fr Maverick Fernandes said that every development should be a sustainable one.“Most industrial estates in the State are situated on the plateaus, while the settlement areas are at a low-lying area. The illegal digging of bore wells by the industries to meet water demand and release of industrial waste has afected the locals badly,” informed Fr Fernandes.
Criticizing government’s policy of the food park at Betul, Fr Fernandes said that hospitality services means resorts, including villas, but the government tells the people something else. “Most industries in the State are sick units and government support these industries at the cost of Goan tax payers even though these industries in no way help the Goans,” he added. “Land is our identity and if it is gone in the hands of outsiders, then we will lose our identity,” said Fr Fernandes.
Speaking on the occasion, social activist Dr Jorson Fernandes said that the State government has no right to bring industries of a particular nature when there is no proper labour supply in the State.“The government should promote educational institution to train labour and then think of setting up industries. The mismanagement has resulted in migration of outsiders,” he stated. “The government buys the land from locals at Rs 20 and sells it to private companies at Rs 620. Then to whom does these money go,” asked Dr Fernandes. He further stated that setting up of industrial estate would result in shortage of water and electricity to the locals.
Canaguini Church Parish Priest Fr Henry D’Souza said that the locals have to chose what is good and bad for them, but the local representatives impose on them what they do not want. Other who addressed the meeting includes Betul, Canaguini Naquerim Citizen Action Committee Vice
President Percy Pereira and Sudhaker Joshi.
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