Panaji, 7 November : The Goa government’s decision to re-float the tender for the proposed ₹140-crore IT International Convention Centre at the Tuem Electronic Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) has triggered strong opposition from local residents, with the Tuem Nagrik Samiti announcing its resolve to challenge the project through legal and democratic means.

The Samiti has accused the government of disregarding the unanimous resolution passed by the Tuem Gram Sabha opposing the convention centre project. The resolution was subsequently endorsed by the Village Panchayat, according to the Samiti.

The controversy has intensified following the government’s decision to extend the proposed concession period from 30 to 60 years after the earlier tender reportedly failed to attract a single bidder.

The Samiti alleged that instead of respecting the objections raised by local residents, the government was offering more attractive terms to private developers to push through a project that had already been rejected at the village level.

Gram Sabha Mandate Ignored

The Tuem Nagrik Samiti maintained that the unanimous opposition expressed by the Gram Sabha and subsequently supported by the Panchayat should have prompted the government to reconsider the entire project.

However, the decision to issue a fresh Request for Proposal (RFP) has raised serious questions about the government’s commitment to grassroots democracy and the role of elected village institutions in decisions affecting local land and resources.

The Samiti argued that proceeding with the project despite the resolutions undermines the spirit of democratic decentralisation envisaged under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

Alvara Land Rights at Centre of Dispute

One of the principal objections concerns the historical Alvara land rights associated with land acquired for the EMC project.

According to the Samiti, local families and traditional landholders have longstanding claims connected with the acquired land. The organisation contends that converting such land into a commercial development without addressing these rights would amount to a serious injustice to the original landholders.

The Samiti has demanded that the government first resolve the outstanding Alvara land issues and clarify the legal basis for the proposed commercial use of the acquired property.

Original Employment Promise Betrayed, Allege Locals

The Samiti has also questioned the proposed convention centre’s compatibility with the original purpose of establishing the Electronic Manufacturing Cluster at Tuem.

The land was acquired with the stated objective of promoting electronics manufacturing, attracting technology-related investment and creating employment opportunities for local youth.

The proposed convention centre, along with associated hospitality and commercial facilities, represents a departure from those objectives, the Samiti alleged.

Residents fear that valuable land acquired in the name of industrial development and employment generation could eventually be diverted towards commercial ventures offering limited direct benefits to the local population.

Legal Challenge and Democratic Agitation Planned

The Tuem Nagrik Samiti has announced that it is preparing to challenge the fresh tender through appropriate legal proceedings while simultaneously mobilising residents for peaceful democratic protests.