Despite BJP ruling the State since 2012, they don’t seem to be fulfilling the dream of their own former chief minister. The project’s foundation stone was laid during the reign of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar through a scheme of the central government. The locals had accused the administration of grabbing agricultural lands which were allotted to them for farming during the Portuguese regime. Although the government stood firm on their decision and Parsekar endured the blame from the locals, the project did not proceed further. There was also a proposed water treatment plant close to the Electronic City which did not see the light of day either.
There was a need for a project such as an Electronic City in Pernem, a taluka which is still considered as somewhat backward. Many years back, the business of cutting diamonds was based at Parsem which was shut down sometime later. The government started Goa Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Ltd company on the Tuem plateau in the 1980s with cooperation from Hindustan Antibiotics Limited. After the State government sold its shares to the Centre, the factory is currently run by the Ministry of Family Welfare. Except for this project, Pernem has not seen a big investment in a long time. The Industrial Estate at Tuem did not become successful at giving enough jobs. Pernem locals till today have to go to the neighbouring talukas of Bardez or Tiswadi for work.
At the backdrop of this, the Electronic City project was announced to provide employment to those who have completed at least Std XII. The land was levelled, but no company has arrived there yet. It gives out a clear message that the projects which were initiated during Parsekar’s tenure as chief minister are not given any respect by the government. A building comparable to district level hospital was built at Tuem, and if it had become operational then it would have eased the pressure of patients that North Goa District Hospital has to endure. With the inauguration of the Ayush hospital at Dhargalim, there are doubts whether the Tuem hospital will be made fully operational or not.
The core issue is that the government is being ignorant. Tuem village comes under the jurisdiction of Mandrem constituency where during the last assembly polls, voters preferred MGP’s candidate over BJP’s. However, the ruling faction does not seem to have learnt its lesson. Earlier businesses dealing with spare parts were supposed to come to the Electronic City, but now even the ones related to production are not going to enter. The manpower required for this is entirely different. Hence, it looks like the demand for 50% jobs for locals made during the Tuem gram sabha is only going to be a daydream. The work of the proposed road for this project starting from Dhargalim has not progressed even an inch. This speaks volumes regarding the government’s priorities. The government stressed on completing the work of the road leading towards Manohar International Airport at Mopa while they blatantly ignored the work of the road for Tuem Electronic City which has the potential to provide employment to locals.
In the interim, an announcement at the government level that 30 investors have shown interest in the project was made. The truth is that not a single investor has laid a foundation stone yet. So far, three companies have been allotted plots while four more are in line. But there is no clarity over the exact date regarding companies erecting their establishments at the site. The lukewarm response received by the government’s road shows at Bangalore and Delhi indicate that investors no longer have trust in the promises of the government. The government does not seem enthusiastic enough to complete a project for which the foundation stone of which was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2016. The government has sat tight by only completed the internal roads of the project, while the people of Pernem wander in search of employment. The airport at Mopa has already failed in terms of providing employment to the locals and if the Electronic City follows in the footsteps of the airport, then no one in Pernem would be ready to give their lands for future projects. People will stay content with whatever they have and will be wrongfully labelled as anti-development.