Alexio’s awakening on Verna estate very late, says Manch

Alexio’s awakening on Verna estate very late, says Manch

HERALD REPORTER

MARGAO, OCT 27
The SEZ Virodhi Manch has denounced the statements appearing in the media in respect of the Verna Industrial Estate by local MLA Alexio Sequeira and GIDC Chairman Babu Kavlekar.
Manch Convenor Charles Fernandes said the local MLA Alexio Sequeira has finally realized that the Verna Industrial Estate has turned into a white elephant for his constituents, adding that the MLA has also surprisingly admitted that he is instrumental in expanding the Verna Industrial Estate in phases.
“Sequeira seems to have also realized far too late that locals have not benefited even in terms of jobs but the local MLA conveniently forgot that neither has Goans benefited in terms of allotment of the industrial plots. Over 90 per cent of these have been allotted to multi-national companies and non-Goan industrialists”, he said, adding the concerned villagers have not only lost their land forever but are today crumbling under the burden of population, inflation, garbage menace, environmental damage, drying up of age old springs in the villages.
He said the SVM is in possession of certified copies of noting sheets of GIDC dated December 12, 2008 stating that the proposal to originally acquire 16,83,900 sq mts has been reduced to 2,33,900 sq mts.
“Kavlekar and the GIDC should stop plaing with the already hurt sentiments of the people”, he said, and warned GIDC that the people of the villages adjoining the industrial estate will not allow any further land acquisition for any purpose.
He said the people will be compelled to take to the streets and also approach the courts if necessary, pointed out that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in audit report of 2008-09 has expose various irregularities committed by the GIDC at the Verna Industrial estate.
“The CAG report also specifically noted that the objectives of GIDC is to set up industrial estates in underdeveloped areas, whereas it is seen that the GIDC is only expanding Verna Industrial Estate beyond limits”, he added.