Villagers hold sit-in protest outside Union Minister’s residence
Panaji : Stating that the government respects people’s demands, North Goa MP and Union Minister of State Shripad Naik on Sunday said the Unity Mall in Chimbel is a central government project and any decision on it will be taken in consultation with the Centre.
The Union Minister said that he would discuss the matter with the Centre.
Around 200 villagers from Chimbel gathered outside Naik’s residence at São Pedro near Old Goa, demanding that the Unity Mall project be scrapped.
The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the assurances and announced that they would continue their agitation. Villagers informed that a protest march will be held on January 26, followed by a mega agitation (mahaandolan) on January 30.
The ongoing protest against the Unity Mall project entered its 30th day on Sunday.
Responding to media queries during a function at Taleigao, Naik said that if the project is found to be detrimental to the environment, as claimed by villagers, it would have to be scrapped.
He added that the government was sensitive to public concerns and would examine all aspects of the project.
“The project was brought for the benefit of the people, but public consent is crucial. If the villagers’ claims are found to be correct, I will support them 100 per cent,” the Union Minister said.
He also stated that he would discuss the matter with the Centre as well as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, stressing that since the Unity Mall is a central government project, the Centre would need to be taken into confidence.
Appealing to the villagers to give the government time to study the issue, Naik urged them to suspend their protest in the meantime.
As the North Goa MP had left his residence before the protestors arrived, the villagers decided to stage a sit-in protest outside his house and wait for him.
