Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI:Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has called upon Gram Panchayats across Goa to prepare detailed Vikasit Gram Panchayat Plans by March 2027, stating that the Rural Development Agency (RDA) will recognise and reward the best-performing village development initiatives.
Speaking at a District-Level Panch Sammelan attended by Sarpanches, Panch members and Gramin Rozgar Sahayaks (GRS), Sawant urged local bodies to make better use of Central Government schemes, particularly the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), to improve rural infrastructure while generating employment.
The Chief Minister said Goa has not been submitting enough project proposals under MGNREGA despite the availability of Central assistance. Referring to his discussions with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, he appealed to Panchayats to prepare well-planned proposals so that more projects can receive Central approval.
Sawant said the Panch Sammelan was organised to familiarise Panchayat representatives with the various programmes implemented by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and the Rural Development Department (RDD), enabling them to access available funds more effectively for local development.
Interacting with Gramin Rozgar Sahayaks, the Chief Minister encouraged them to showcase successful projects undertaken in their villages. He noted that works such as drains, check dams, ponds and other public assets not only improve village infrastructure but also provide employment and income to registered workers, particularly women.
He stressed that rural development programmes should focus on creating lasting community assets while ensuring sustainable livelihood opportunities for people living in villages.
