PONDA
Though the Directorate of Panchayat issued an order releasing 'Octroi' of Rs 16.35 lakh for 2014-15 to the Queula (Kavale) Panchayat on December 15, 2014, the local body is still waiting for the funds to carry out developmental works.
Due to lack of funds, pre-monsoon works were hampered in the panchayat area and hence the panchayat was forced to use revenue collected by means of house tax.
There is no industry in the jurisdiction of Queula Panchayat, but has one fuel station at Dhavali, of which they get the Octroi. The local body was fully dependent on this revenue, which they use for several developmental projects. Presently, the panchayat is left helpless to take up the pre-monsoon works.
Speaking to The Goan, Sarpanch Rajesh Kavalekar said they used funds collected from recovery of house tax for the purpose. “We have to face the wrath of the people, as the works were pending. But then we utilised the fund and cleaned the gutters and carried out other monsoon-related works,” Kavalekar said.
According to the sarpanch, the panchayat has spent about Rs 1.67 lakh on pre-monsoon work. “So far, we have completed the pre-monsoon works in seven wards and two are remaining, which will be done soon,” he said.
Kavalekar lamented saying when government sends order to release funds, they expect it should come early, but already seven months are passed and they have not got single rupee.
He also informed that they haven't got the matching grants which amounts to about Rs 4.20 lakh and they are awaiting for that too.
The panchayat spends about Rs 1.60 lakh to provide educational books, bags and raincoats to school students every year.
