Vishwajit Rane stands with the people, demands scrapping of IIT, withdrawal of cases

0
764

Panaji: In a major victory to the locals opposing IIT project at Sattari, local MLA and State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday wrote to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urging him to drop the proposal to set up the campus.

Rane told reporters that he has written to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urging him to drop the proposal to set up IIT campus at Shel-Melaulim village due to the protest by locals.

He said that he has also urged CM to withdraw police cases filed against the agitating villagers last week.

At least 12 policemen and several villagers were injured last week when both the groups had clashed against each other in the forest areas near Shel-Melaulim village.

Rane said that he has written letter to CM expressing his opposition to the IITCampus bowing to the sentiments of the people.

“IIT campus was planned in the village as a part of development of the constituency. But the locals have been opposing it vehemently. If locals don’t want, I want that the state government should not go ahead with the project,” the Health Minister said.

He also said that the situation in Shel-Melaulim village worsened after police entered there and assaulted locals.

“I have asked CM to take action against the police officers who assaulted women during the protest,” he said.

Rane vowed that he will not allow IIT to be set up anywhere in his constituency. “CM take take IIT campus anywhere in the state but we don’t want it in our constituency,” he said.

The minister stated that he has been working under the guidance of BJP national leader Amit Shah and local leaders including Pramod Sawant and party state unit president Sadanand Tanavade.

He said that he will continue working for the state of Goa under BJP leadership but his decision to demand scrapping of IIT from Sattari was result of the public sentiments.

Rane recalled that his father and current Congress MLA Pratapsingh Rane has worked for the Sattari taluka tirelessly and he has been carrying ahead the legacy of his father.

“The people of Sattari are like my family and I stand with them in their opinion,” he added.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here