To Goanet - Jason Keith Fernandes wrote: >*Taleigao** **Residents** **Protest** **Land** Scam in Dona Paula 'IT Park'* >The Taleigao Residents for Appropriate Development (TRAD) took their >opposition against the IT Park on the Dona Paula Plateau to the Goa Agenda >2008. Organized by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) at Hotel >Fidalgo on 26 April, 2008 the Goa Agenda 2008 focused on education to make >Goa an IT state. The event was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Digambar >Kamat and IT Minister Mr. Dayanand Narvekar. >Upon questioning, the resident-protesters pointed out that the project in >Dona Paula has nothing to do with IT. Instead, TRAD members strongly believe >that it is a scam to pass off almost 3 lakh square meters of prime property >to real estate developers. Given the value of the real estate in question, >they allege that the possible loss to the exchequer and the gain via >corruption stands to the tune of nothing less than Rs. 500 crore . . . My response to Jason Keith Fernandes, Annand Madgavkar andall other activists from the area:
The IT Habitat scam needed to be busted and by God we are glad that it has been subdued for now. But why is nobody talking about the real threat right now to Dona Paula and Taleigao? I am referring to the mega housing projects going on at full steam. Such as the monstrosity (ground + 8) by Models in Dona Paula, another (ground + 8) one by Kamat Constructions in Taleigao, the one by an outside company Gera in Caranzalem etc. I have already posted photographs of the Models and the Kamat sites and the frightening optical profiles they present. These are at the moment a much greater threat to the well-being of the village than the IT scam. Why is there no organized effort to stop these construction nightmares that are guaranteed to sink Taleigao? They will add hundreds of more apartments to an already stretched community. Imagine the additional resources such as water, electricity etc that will be drawn, the increase in traffic etc etc. And given that most of the residents of these mega projects will be outsiders, they will permanently alter the demographic of the village. The fact that the MLA of Taleigao is silent about these projects is understandable. But why are the activists silent? Why is the IT Habitat such a big deal but not the very obvious concrete evil emerging in full view of everyone? r