Panaji: In the backdrop of protest against the proposed housing project in North Goa, Town and Country Planning Minister Vishwajit Rane said the land was converted into a settlement nearly three decades ago at the behest of his father, former CM Pratapsingh Rane.
A group of people from Karapur-Sarvan village in North Goa district have been protesting for about a month, accusing Rani of selling his huge property to a leading construction company, without addressing environmental concerns.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Vishwaji Rane said that he was targeted unnecessarily, noting that the rocky land was converted into a settlement about 30 years ago at the request of his father when he was an opposition leader.
He said the land was converted into a settlement by the then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, and all authorities, including the local panchayat, gave permission for it.
The minister also said that the entire area was rocky and “the existence of a cashew plantation in that area is a myth.”
“I don’t know why suddenly a bunch of people protested against the project. All the legal permissions required for the project are in place. If they have any questions, they should ask the company developing the property,” he said.
The minister further said that his family has donated large tracts of land for development projects in the state, including the Angonim Irrigation Project and the Dabus Water Treatment Plant in Sattari taluka.
He added: “People have the right to speak, but they must not exceed their limits by making baseless allegations.”
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