Directorate of Panchayats is set to release the second installment of Rs 7.22 crore as a part of the funds due to it in 2015-16 under the Fourteenth Finance Commission.
Funds will be disbursed only after utilisation certificate of first installment: DoP
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PANAJI
Speaking to The Goan, Director of Panchayats Gurudas Pilarnekar stated, “The second installment will be released to the 190 panchayats by the end of July or the first week of August.”
It was informed that the fund amount will be received over the coming days, by when the DoP hopes to be in receipt of the utilization certificates of the first installment of Rs 7.20 crore, which was released previously.
“The directorate will not release the second installment unless we receive the utilization certificate of the first installment,” confirmed Pilarnekar.
The central Fourteenth Finance Commission funds have been received by DoP under the ‘Niyojit Amcho Gaon, Nital Amche Goem’ scheme.
Total funds worth Rs 120 crore have been earmarked for five-year plan for 2015-16 to 2019-20 with Rs 14.40 crore being allotted for the current financial year.
The underlying aim appeared to be the implementation of the ‘Swachch Bharat’ campaign at the grassroots through the aegis of panchayats.
The funds were distributed in 2015 according to population of each of the 190 panchayats with Rs 25,000 being granted for every 1,000 people.
‘Niyojit Amcho Gaon, Nital Amche Goem’ scheme intends to clean the surroundings in rural Goa by focusing on drains, tanks, wells, springs, roads, market places, gardens, bus stops, crematorium, school campuses, crematorium and other spots in the villages.
Apart from beautification of all public places, the scheme also stresses on tackling garbage menace through garbage collection and disposal. Along with this, the scheme also aspires to educate public to maintain cleanliness.
However, Pilarnekar informed that with the exception of coastal panchayats, majority of other panchayats have conveyed to the DoP their intention to utilize the funds for purposes other than garbage management.
Under the scheme, each Gram Panchayat is expected to constitute Village Development Committee (VDC) comprising eminent personalities and other volunteers from the village and formulate a Village Development Plan.
VDCs will propose, shortlist and finalise the projects to be implemented under the scheme.
Goa Institute of Rural Development and Administration (GIRDA) has been roped in for conducting capacity-building activities for VDC members.
