Min assures to discuss the issue with CM & try to give more funding to
Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: The Opposition grilled the state government on the steps taken to devolve powers to the Panchayat Raj as envisaged in the 73rd amendment, particularly Article 243H.
Minister Mauvin Godinho’s reply to the question said that in order to assist the Village Panchayats in technical matters the Government has set up Technical Cell for speedy disposal of technical sanction orders which earlier were getting delayed due to an overload of PWD Department.
Godinho also said that he will meet CM Sawant and discuss the issue and then try to give more funding to Village Panchayats.
“In order to assist the Village Panchayats in technical matters the Government has set up Technical Cell for speedy disposal of technical sanction orders which earlier were getting delayed due to overload of PWD Department,” said Godinho.
He further said that State Government is providing various Grants-in-Aid to the Village Panchayats in Goa such as rural infrastructure grants, garbage grants, grants for salaries to all Panchayat elected representatives, grants for salaries for the staff of weaker Panchayats, grants of upto 3.00 crores (3.5 crores in deserving cases ) per Village Panchayat for infrastructural development.
“This includes such as Village Panchayat Ghar, market complex, community hall, crematorium, matching grants to encourage Village Panchayats to increase their own source revenue in order to make Village Panchayats self-reliant,” he added.
The minister said that in addition, the Government of India also gives Finance Commission Grants. Till now, under 14th Finance Commission Grants, totally all Village Panchayats together have received 125.00 crores and under the 15th Finance Commission Grants till date, Village Panchayats have received 130.00 crores.
“It does not interfere in the basic matters of development works. In fact, the Village Panchayats have full powers to tender all the works undertaken by them under all types of funds including Village Panchayat funds,” he said.
Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai had demanded Grants and Powers to Panchayat on the basis of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
He asked for steps the Govt has taken to devolve powers to the Panchayat Raj as envisaged in the 73rd amendment, particularly Article 243H.
