Father Maverick Fernandes, secretary of the Roman Catholic Church-backed Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), criticised the government for making yet another attempt to 'grab' land.

'Instead of doing all this, the government should use the land judiciously and for the betterment of the people,' he said.

Interestingly, the Trained Nurses Association of Goa, which has also opposed the health estates project, has said that government run hospitals were critically short of essential facilities.

'Our hospitals in Goa are in shambles. First, the government should at least improve the present infrastructure. Goa's best state-run health facility, the Goa Medical College, is in a mess. The government has got to get its priorities right,' said Nilima Rane, secretary of the Trained Nurses Association.

Indian Medical Association president Amol Tilve said that the implications of the Goa Health Services Development Act, which empowers the creation of health estates, needs to be examined thoroughly.

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has, however, denied any ulterior motive as far as the health estates were concerned.

'There is nothing to hide. It is not going to be a five-star residential complex. It is going to be purely a place to provide health facilities or allied activities to benefit the people of Goa. I will do what my conscience permits and as advised by the health advisory council,' he said earlier this week.