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BJP opposes site for regional centre in Panaji

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

The proposal to set up an exhibition ground on the lines of Delhi's Pragati Maidan in Goa has run into rough weather, with the Bharatiya Janata Party strongly objecting to the site selected by central authorities.

BJP spokesperson Manohar Parrikar demanded that the proposal be taken up after an elected government takes over.

With election round the corner, the issue has now turned into a political battle. Former chief minister Dr Wilfred de Souza, instrumental in attracting the project away from Bombay, vehemently opposed the BJP's stand.

Now, the ball is in the court of Governor Lieutenant General (retd) J F R Jacob, who is in charge of the state under President's rule.

de Souza, during his three-and-a-half month rule from July, 1998, had persuaded Union Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hedge to set up the regional centre in Goa instead of Bombay. Whereupon, the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation officials had selected the Campal Parade ground in Panaji for it.

When the election fever started heating Goa up, former Panaji legislator Parrikar demanded that the centre be constructed outside the town. His logic was that the Parade ground is the only open space left in the capital city.

"I am not opposed to the concept but the site," he said.

"It is contrary to the interest of the tourist state," holds de Souza, who strongly feels that the permanent exhibition centre should come up as fast as possible at Campal. The proposal would obviously help tourism.

To be built as a joint venture between the Goa government and the ITPO, with equity of land and Rs 100 million respectively, the state authorities have also objected to the decision to allot the land in a prime location for a song. The area of 43,000 square metres is to be allotted at the rate of just Rs 1500 per sq mt. The normal rate varies between Rs 8000 and Rs 10,000 per sq mt in the state capital. This means that land worth Rs 350 million would be given out for just over Rs 60 million.

While progress has been made on other regional centres planned in Calcutta, Madras and Bangalore, the ongoing President's rule may postpone the decision in Goa till June.

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