99 per cent of hotels in Pernem taluka are illegal: Goa CM Laxmikant Parsekar

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has stoked a controversy claiming that almost 99 per cent of the hotels in coastal Pernem belt in the state are illegal.

"99 per cent of the hotels in Pernem's coastal area are illegal," Parsekar told reporters last evening, while supporting the proposed Golf Course project in the taluka which has been opposed by locals.

"At least those who are planning the golf course project have taken the required permission," the chief minister said.

Environmentalists and locals are opposing the golf course project which is proposed at Terekhol village in Pernem taluka.

"I don't know why there are protests against the project when they are having all the licences," he wondered.

Supporting the project, Parsekar said the taluka needs four to five such projects for generating employment.

Pernem is the northern most taluka of Goa and also has Mandrem constituency which is represented by Parsekar.