MARGAO
Budget estimates for the financial year 2022-23 dominated the gram sabhas around Salcete countryside on Sunday as the grassroots panchayat bodies rushed to discuss and deliberate on the financial proposals.
Most of the gram sabhas that took place on Sunday primarily discussed and gave their approval for the budget estimates, paving the way for the panchayat bodies to incur expenditure in the financial year.
The gram sabha of the Seraulim panchayat saw members in a lively debate on whether the panchayat ought to have convened a special gram sabha or an extraordinary gram sabha to deliberate on the budget proposals.
While the Sarpanch had called for a special gram sabha on Sunday to discuss the budget proposals, some of the members pointed out that the local body ought to have called for an extraordinary gram sabha.
The Sarpanch maintained that since the BDO did not raise any queries to the special gram sabha notice, the proceedings should start so as to give approval for the budget.
In the budget proposal, the Seraulim panchayat has added another head by allocating Rs two lakh for the maintenance of the panchayat ground.
Budget proposals also came up for discussions at the Colva gram sabha on Sunday chaired by Sarpanch Johnson Coelho. The gram sabha saw members raising a host of questions on the budget proposal and other issues plaguing the village.
The Sarpanch later pointed out that the panchayat has made provision for the roadside collection of garbage from the village, including the garbage disposed of at the dark spots.
The budget estimates for the 2022-23 financial year also came up for discussion at the Paroda gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Deepak Kharangate.
The Sarpanch informed that the budget has made provision for developmental projects, besides provision for the salary payment and provided fund of employees.
The Telaulim gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Estevan Goes also gave its approval for the budget estimates for the financial year 2022-23.
The Nuvem gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Filipa Barretto also discussed the budget proposals. While the meeting approved a minimum house tax of Rs 100, the garbage tax could not be approved after the members sought details of garbage handling, such as expenditure on garbage, grant from the government. Gram sabha member Zarina said that the budget is not realistic.
The Raia gram sabha chaired by Sarpanch Minguelina D’Souza also discussed the budget proposals. The issue over reassessment of house tax and fixation of new house tax was discussed at the meeting.
Gram sabha Member Anthony Barbosa sought to know from the member whether the panchayat has levied trade tax on businesses that are being carried out in the village.
The gram sabha has decided to protect the water bodies and water resources through the Water Resources Department for posterity.
The Rumdamol gram sabha chaired by Vinayak Volvoikar also discussed and approved the budget estimates for the financial year.
