Documents don’t lie, or do they?
Ample opportunities of employment for spouses of faculty in IIT at Valpoi, Ponda, Sankhalim, Bicholim , govt tells MHRD
MHRD given all false information by the State Govt
Principal Secretary/ Secretary, Department of Higher Education, in a report prepared has not given any information on the employment encumbrance, the eco sensitive zone, the water bodies etc.
In a reply to Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) questions on opportunities in the area for employment of spouses of faculty near the site, the government said, there are ample job opportunities.
“Four towns – Valpoi, Ponda, Sankhalim, Bicholim are adjacent with ample opportunities of employment in educational institutions, industrial establishments etc,” the principle secretary said.
Further, despite being in the eco-sensitive zone, the government said, sixty per cent of land is available for construction.
As per the replies, there are no rain water streams, no water bodies, and no hillocks.
Moreover, in response to a query from MHRD on ‘What problems are envisaged in acquiring e.g Encroachment, litigtion, rehabilitation etc’, the government replied in one line saying, “Clear from encroachment.”
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ASSESSING THE SUITABILITY
LOCATIONAL SUITABILITY OF THE SITE
1.
Nearest International Airport Name : Goa International Airport Dabolim Distance : 52 kms Travel Time : 1 hr 20 mins
2.
Nearest Domestic Airport Name : Goa International Airport Dabolim Distance : 52 kms Travel Time : 1 hr 26 mins
3.
Nearest Railway station Name : Madgao Railway station
(having reasonable no of
Distance : 52 kms
trains connection to major
Travel Time: 1 hr 20 mins
cities of the region)
4.
Distance of national highway
or any other majorhighway from the site
: 16 kms
5.
Commitment of the State govt to provide : 4-lane connectivity to the site: : Proper two lanes
6.
Nearest Metro city Name : Panaji Capital city Distance : 52 kms Travel Time : 1 hr 20 mins
7.
Nearest other city Name Ponda Valpoi
(with availability of good
Population 1,65,830 63817
schools, medical facilities and
Distance 22 15
employment opportunities for
Travel time 36 24
the spouses of the faculty etc)
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDENTIFIED LAND
9. Location of the site (coordinates with google mp picture): Map attached
10. Area proposed for the site
: 250 acres a. Whether the land is contagious : yes b. If not, what are the areas of each parcel of land : N.A and approximate distance between them (with google map picture showing all parcels)
11. Whether the land is water logging, flood prone : No
(report from State irrigation flood control department, may be taken) a.Whether the site is hilly / highly undulating uneven? : Partly hill/ partly flat b. If yes, average gradient / slope of the land (provide contour map / Topo sheet) : Topo sheet c.What percentage of land will be suitable for construction : 60 % proxy
12. What is the seismic level of region
: II
13. Part of land (%) that will nee forest clearance (if any) : NIL
14. Part of land that will be not utilised due to : Acres %
a. Rain water streams : NIL b. Water bodies/ water logging :NIL c. Green belts : 40% approx d. Hillocks : NIL e. Any other (specify) : NIL
15. What is the suitability of land for
: Hard Rocky suitable for construction activity construction activity
16. a. Will the site need above average site
: No development cost?
b. If yes, reasons
: N.A
17. ISSUES RELATED TO LAND ACQUISITION
a. Is the land private or government land? : Government b. What would be estimated time for acquisition? : N.A c. What problems are envisaged in acquiring e.g Encroachment, litigation, rehabilitation etc : Clear from encroachment
18. How is the law and order and security environment : Excellent, no law and
order issues
19. What would be the proposed mechanism of water supply in a fully developed
campus or townships?
a.
Is surface water source available? : No
b.
Is ground water available? : Yes
c.
What is the depth of underground water? : ——
d.
What is the quality of underground water?: Good
e.
Commitment of State government to provide adequate water : Committed
20. a. ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CONDITIONS : GOOD
b. Commitment of the State government to
provide uninterrupted power through independent feeder : Committed
21. OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT OF SPOUSES OF FACULTY NEAR THE SITE
Four towns – Valpoi, Ponda, Sankhalim, Bicholim are adjacent with ample opportunities of employment in educational institutions, industrial establishments etc.
22. Any other special reason for suitability or unsuitability of the site:
Suitable in view of the natural and physical setting with peaceful law and order situation.
Sd/- Principal secretary/ secretary
Department of Higher Education,
State government
DTE report gives all clear without investigation
On August 20, 2019, the Directorate of Technical Education conducted all the coded formalities required for handing over the land. The entire process was supervised by Dr Dipak Gaitonde, Nodal Officer IIT Goa under the guidance of Director, Dr Vivek Kamat, and Secretary Education, Neela Mohanan IAS.
Gaitonde’s report (specimen attached) set the ball rolling for handing over the land of 13,81,225 sq mts, in survey No.67/1 at Melauli Village Sattari taluka ,for setting up of permanent campus of IIT-Goa.
The report says…
Government has earlier approved transfer of land admeasuring 1310,202 sq mt of land in Village Cotarli of Sanguem Taluka and Village Nagvem of Quepem Taluka, for setting up of permanent campus of IIT-Goa. However, due to difficulties encountered in obtaining consent from landholders, the same could not materialize.
Also, Government had approved an alternate site bearing survey No 109/1 in Rivona Village of Sanguem Taluka for the purpose. However, the same could not be processed as it is marked as forest area
Presently, this Directorate is informed by office of the Chief Minister that an area of 13,81,225 sq mts in Survey No.67/1 in Melaulim Village of Satan Taluka, recorded in the name of Govt. of Goa can be considered to handing over, for setting up of permanent campus of IIT-Goa.
(Form 1 & XIV & Survey Plan in respect of the same are placed at 1/C to 2/C).
This site has been visited by Director, IIT Goa, Prof. BK Mishra. In the site visit report (copy placed at 8/C to 3C}, he has favourably recommended the site for setting up of permanent campus of IT Goa.
The Salient features of a report are stated below:
* Site in possession of Revenue Department, hence can be easily transferred
* Area adequate for setting up of permanent campus of IT Goa.
•Art comprises of hard rock with few trees and shrubs
* Good connectivity. However, State govt is requested to widen S km of road from the site joining SH 28.
* 220 KV Amona substation to meet power requirement.
•Good availability of water, due to proximity to Mahadeyi river
•Melauli is a small village comprises of just 70-80 and setting up of permanent campus of IIT Goa with dramatically impact the surroundings.
It is submitted that we may obtain feasibility/ suitability report from Revenue Department (0/o Collector) and TCP regarding the above site for setting up of permanent campus of IT-Goa.
Letters addressed to Chief Town Planner & Collector (North) are placed on file for approval and signature of DTE please
Further, Forest Department be requested to inform the Suitability/feasibility of the land from Forest Act/ Laws letter addressed to Deputy Conservator Officer, is placed on file for approval and signature of DTE please.
In view of the above, it is submitted that Govt may positively consider approval of the site bearing Survey No.67/1 in Melauli Village of Sattari Taluka, to be handed over, for setting up permanent campus of 1IT Goa.
(Dr. Dipak C. S. Gaitonde) Assistant Director (CAD)
Education Secretary recommends only
10 lakh sq metres against 13.8 lakh
The very next day after DTE report, on August 21, 2019 the Education Secretary, taking into consideration the encroachments and plantations by villagers recommended that only 10 lakh sq mts be given to IIT and not 13.8 lakh sq metres.
The Secretary Education wrote on this not: “As discussed with Collectorate North, the area free from all encumbrances is 10 lakh sq meters as there are some encroachments and plantations in there in remaining area. Hence, the approval may be granted for allowing 10 lakh sq mt of land at Melauli village, Sattari is proposed.”
CM sends matter for Cabinet approval
Same day on 21st August, 2019, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant moved the file for Cabinet Approval.
In his noting on the file, CM wrote, “May put up the proposal to cabinet for its approval if it is agreed in principal after taking finance concurrence IIT’s acceptance.”
Office of the Dy Conservator of Forests,
North Goa Division, Govt of Goa
Forest Department Report. Kuldeep Sharma, IFS, (Dy Conservator of Forests North Goa Division Ponda Goa)
With reference to the above cited subject and in continuation of this office letter at reference no 2 it is informed that undersigned has inspected the site under Survey No 67/1 of village Melauli (Gulleli Saza) of Sattari Taluka which has been identified for setting of permanent campus of IIT-Goa on 25/09/2019. The site was shown by the Field Surveyor of DSLR and based upon this ocular observation and available office record it is observed that
a) The area is not a notified Government forest and does not form part of any Compartment of North Goa Division Working plan.
b) The area also does not figure in the list of Survey numbers finally confirmed as Private Forest as per the report of the State Level Expert Committees headed by Sawant/ Dr Karapurkar/ VT Thomas.
c). However the site has mixed patches of open area with laterite soil and wild tree growth. The major tree species are Matti, Kindal, Moi, Sawar etc felling of which will require prior permission under the existing laws, as applicable.
Chief Town Planner, TCP
James Mathew report
“It may be noted that the property being big it has multiple zoning classification. Major portion of the land is facing under Orchard natural cover and no development slope. Part of the area is also shown under settlement area. Further piece of land within the said property is also earmarked for Micro Industrial Zone (MIZs).
The property under reference is served by an existing village road for proposed Right of Way of 15 meters in the northern side and also served by other village roads of proposed Right of way ranging from 10 meters to 15 meters in the southern side as seen in the plans.
As the land was proposed in regional plan 2021, it is not conforming to the intended use I.e to set up permanent campus of IIT in Goa, provision of Section 16A of the Town & Country Planning Act read with Goa (Town and Country planning public projects schemes and development works by government rules, 2008, may have to be invoked as was done earlier for NIT Cuncolim.
It may be noted that a substantial portion of the property is falling under No Development Slope as per Regional Plan. However, this can be rechecked with respect to the counter survey.
Comments from the forest department may also have to be taken in the first instance in light o Supreme Court Order.
MAMLATDAR SATTARI TALUKA
Anil V Rane Sardessai report…..
Terrain (whether hilly or not)
Major part of the land is hilly with slope and some part of the land is rocky.
Tree Cover: Maximum area is covered with forest trees.
Occupation: Total area of survey no 67/1 of village Melauli, Sattari Taluka is 1381225 s mts. Out of total area around 2,00,000 sq metres is encroached and cultivated by locals and there also exists eight residential houses.
Suitability of land for projects
Yes
Any other information relevant to the land
As per Form I & XIV of the property surveyed under survey no 67/1 of village Melauli, Sattari Taluka, the name of the government of Goa Daman and Diu is recorded in occupant column.
