Goa, July 20 -- The State government on Saturday came in for sharp criticism for allegedly using the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB) to approve 'controversial' projects which cannot be cleared by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) vice president Tulio De Souza alleged that the IPB meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant approved two starred hotel projects in Survey No. 95/1 of Reis Magos much to the annoyance of the villagers, who are upset with the destruction of their pristine land. The proposed project comprises a five-star hotel, one four-star hotel and a multi-level parking facility.

According to De Souza, the land where the proposed project has been appro...